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.
,,, wardrobe malfunction alert.
Oh that's right you are leading a blameless life of excellence
Something tells me that within 10 years, NZs eco-fascism, emigration trends, and HCs 'tax and unwisely spend' policies bring about a real pile driver from the law of unintended consequences. This place seems like California Lite in many ways.
Your tax dollars, or whatever they use over there, at work.
There is no way that the shaggy eel I know would post a thread like this........
,,, yep, with a dash of the Swedish welfare model thrown in.
,,, see the mischief that can happen when you take away expenditure used for subsidising farmers?
,,, I don't know what came over me! No pun intended.
Just wait until someone with a couple of dawgs hears about this.
Not that I would tell, mind you.....
,,, for all that, I'm sitting here at work and I'm proudly still straight in the most important contexts of the word.
,,, I understand, you've got your mouth full.
LOL!
Well, I did post over on the horse BBQ thread......
,,, did you get fries with that?
Hahaha.
Neigh......
The person with a couple of dogs and I have decided we have a new mental picture of you. The picture of you splashing around in that swimming pool on an inner tube ... wearing one of your wife's dresses.
Heh!
Congratulations!!!
Looking forward to the big day for you two!
,,, many thanx. It will be peak summer, so I'm glad I've subcontracted the whole project out to her.
Good timing, you two can have the next one in the oven by Fall........
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