Prison Shock: Trans Woman Claims Men’s Facility and Hormone Ban ‘Destroyed’ Her Mental Health
A transgender inmate in New Hampshire has filed a lawsuit against the state’s prison system, alleging that her placement in a men’s correctional facility and the denial of gender-affirming medical care caused severe emotional and psychological distress.
Avishay “Allison” Alon, who identifies as a transgender woman, claims that prison officials violated her constitutional rights by housing her in a men’s prison and refusing to provide hormone injections and basic grooming tools that align with her gender identity. According to the lawsuit, these decisions led to a significant drop in her hormone levels, which she describes as an involuntary and forced detransition.
Alon alleges that while incarcerated, she was denied access to estrogen injections she had previously been prescribed, causing noticeable physical and emotional changes. Among the most distressing, she says, was being forced to grow a full beard due to restrictions on grooming tools, something she claims deeply harmed her mental health and sense of identity.
In court filings, Alon argues that prison officials were aware of her transgender status but failed to make accommodations that would protect her dignity and well-being. She contends that the combination of being housed with male inmates and denied gender-affirming care created an environment of humiliation, anxiety, and emotional suffering.
The lawsuit further claims that the prison system’s actions amounted to cruel and unusual punishment, violating the Eighth Amendment, as well as infringing upon her right to equal protection under the law. Alon is seeking damages and policy changes that would require correctional facilities to better address the needs of transgender inmates.
New Hampshire Department of Corrections officials have not commented in detail on the lawsuit but have previously stated that inmate housing decisions are based on multiple factors, including safety, security, and available resources. Like many prison systems across the United States, New Hampshire faces growing legal and ethical challenges as courts, lawmakers, and correctional institutions grapple with how to house and medically treat transgender prisoners.
The case highlights a broader national debate over transgender rights in incarceration settings. Advocacy groups argue that denying hormone therapy and placing transgender women in men’s prisons exposes them to heightened risks of harassment, violence, and psychological harm. They maintain that access to gender-affirming healthcare is medically necessary and should not be interrupted due to incarceration.
Critics, however, argue that prisons must balance individual healthcare requests with security concerns, costs, and institutional limitations. Some contend that housing decisions should be based on biological sex rather than gender identity, citing safety concerns for other inmates.
Legal experts say cases like Alon’s are becoming increasingly common as more transgender inmates challenge correctional policies in federal courts. Outcomes vary widely depending on jurisdiction, medical documentation, and how judges interpret constitutional protections for incarcerated individuals.
As the lawsuit moves forward, it is likely to draw renewed attention to how prisons nationwide handle transgender inmates, particularly when it comes to medical care, housing assignments, and basic dignity behind bars. Regardless of the legal outcome, the case underscores the complex intersection of civil rights, public safety, and healthcare within the U.S. correctional system.