Posted on 10/19/2004 1:24:09 PM PDT by shaggy eel
A transsexual burglar with more than 85 convictions is free on bail, amid revelations she underwent a sex change operation three weeks ago – while in prison custody.
Career criminal Joanne Martin is facing the prospect of another prison sentence for her latest burglaries, but prison officials must first decide whether she would go to a men's or women's prison. They are understood to require proof that she is a woman.
It is thought that three weeks ago, while in a Wellington men's prison, Martin had a sex change operation to become a woman. She was arrested on September 18.
Martin pleaded guilty this month to a breach of parole and two burglary charges relating to an inner-city building.
Despite the guilty plea, she was given bail when she appeared for sentence in Wellington District Court on Monday.
Judge Bridget Mackintosh – who prosecuted Martin four years ago on 41 charges while working as a lawyer – granted bail, saying she would give Martin the opportunity to get herself "back on track".
Martin has one month of freedom before her sentencing. Her bail conditions state she must live in a Wellington City Council flat, but when The Dominion Post visited the address yesterday it was unoccupied. Neighbours said the flat had been vacant for three weeks.
Bridget White, the Corrections Department's women's and specialist service assistant general manager, confirmed that transgender inmates could continue "any medical or hormonal treatment" behind bars that had started before they were jailed.
"However, they must meet all the costs, including security, and sexual reassignment surgery will not be considered while they are in prison."
Asked how Corrections determined an inmate's sex, Ms White said if it was unclear or in dispute medical advice was sought. She confirmed there were "a number" of transgender inmates in prison at any one time.
Martin, formerly known as Joanne Enright and Jon Enright, has more than 85 burglary convictions and more from other crimes.
In 2000, she was jailed for five years on 41 burglary charges after $467,000 worth of mainly computer equipment was stolen from Wellington high-rise buildings.
She told police she needed money for a sex-change operation.
Martin was freed in April last year but reoffended within two days and was returned to jail for charges that included five counts of burglary and one of assaulting police.
Plastic and reconstructive surgeon Peter Walker, who specialises in "gender reassignment" operations, said the procedure took three surgeons about five hours and cost between $25,000 and $28,000.
Before being considered for a sex change the person had to spend two years "living and working as a woman" and was assessed by a GP, geneticist, endocrinologist, two psychiatrists and a social worker.
Martin was a woman and should be sent to a women's prison, Mr Walker said. "Without doubt she should be in a female prison because she would be raped or all sorts of things in with the men."
The "life-changing" operation was painful and patients required painkillers and used a catheter afterwards. Recovery from the surgery took about three weeks but further treatment was required for about six months.
A Wellington City Council spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that people "leaving prison" were considered for its flats, provided adequate community support was available. The tenancy arrangement lasted 120 days but could be continued, provided rent was paid and no complaints had been received from neighbours.
Did this happen with or without permission?
,,, what a country.
,,, I know as much as you do.
Send it to the men's prison. It is sure to be as popular there as it is on Boston streetcorners.
ping
simple - check to see if she has Y chromosomes
I was being sarcastic. Men get turned into women in prisons on a regular basis, only without their permission.
Now you know why stats are so misleading.
"4 out of 5 male inmates.. wait, 3 out of 5 with 1 female... hold on there are 3 men and/or..."
Try automating the data entry drop down list on this one:
1. Male
2. Female
3. Entered as Male, leaves as Female
4. Entered as Female, leaves as Male
5. Clone of Male, changed to Female... Geez.
An old lady is rocking away the last of her days on her front porch, reflecting on her long life, when-all of a sudden-a fairy godmother appears in front of her and informs her that she will be granted three wishes.
"Well, now," says the old lady, "I guess I would like to be really rich. "
*** POOF *** her rocking chair turns to solid gold. "And, gee, I guess I wouldn't mind being a young, beautiful princess."
*** POOF *** she turns into a beautiful young woman. "Your third wish?" asks the fairy godmother. Just then the old woman's cat wanders across the porch in front of them.
"Ooh-can you change him into a handsome prince?" she asks.
*** POOF *** there before her stands a young man more handsome than anyone could possibly imagine. She stares at him, smitten.
With a smile that makes her knees weak, he saunters across the porch and whispers in her ear: "Bet you're sorry now you had me neutered."
,,, with this gay marriage legislation coming in it will get worse. New Zealand's Parliament is stacked with gays and there's even a trans-gendered "member" of Parliament.
This begs too many questions. So to keep it short just put her into Isolation for the prison population.
How did she live for 2 years as a woman while in a mens prison? Does she/Dr. think that all there is to gender can be surgically altered? And what precedent does it set for potential others when it seems the process/diagnosis has been short ciruited here? And last but far from least. Why should I have to pay for your/it's choice of elective surgery?
,,, sorry, that was too subtle for me. I understand now though... he became someone called Bubba's "Louise".
,,, socialised medicine knows no bounds.
You mean if Kerry gets in I can have
1) Belly Reduction
2) Pectoral Implants
3) Butt Implants
4) ___ Augmentation
All at taxpayers expense?
What a country /sarcasm
Puts a whole new twist on those women in prison movies of the 1970s.
Back on track ~ what a country indeed! :)
Helen Clark's kinda female. :)
Why do these freaks keep getting elected???
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