Theses and Dissertations
Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice
Advisor
Grace Telesco
Committee Member
Jennifer Allen
Committee Member
Marcelo Castro
Keywords
incarceration, perceptions of safety, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), prison reform, sexual assaults, trans inmates
Abstract
Heightened risks of violence, discrimination, and insufficient institutional protections mark the experiences of incarcerated trans individuals. This qualitative thematic analysis investigated the perceptions of safety among formerly incarcerated trans people within U.S. correctional facilities. Using qualitative research methods, the study gathered firsthand accounts of physical and sexual assault, examined institutional responses to reported incidents, and assessed the effectiveness of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 in addressing the unique vulnerabilities of trans inmates. Data collection involved oral history transcript analysis, which was analyzed through thematic coding to identify patterns of institutional neglect, inadequate training of correctional staff, and systemic barriers to safety.
The findings indicate that trans inmates experience disproportionately high rates of violence, often worsened by misclassification in housing assignments, staff misgendering, and placement in solitary confinement under the pretense of protective custody. Despite the outlined protections within the Prison Rape Elimination Act legal framework, many facilities fail to effectively implement trans-specific policies, leaving inmates vulnerable to assault from both fellow inmates and correctional staff. Participants emphasized the need for gender-affirming housing policies, enhanced staff training on LGBTQIA+ issues, and more rigorous enforcement mechanisms for Prison Rape Elimination Act compliance.
This study contributes to the discourse on prison reform by amplifying the voices of a marginalized population and highlighting the urgent need for policy changes to ensure the dignity, safety, and human rights of incarcerated trans individuals. Due to limited participant recruitment, the study incorporated publicly available archival oral history interviews to supplement primary data. This mixed-source approach ensured a broader understanding of transgender incarceration experiences.
NSUWorks Citation
James Anthoney Crawford. 2025. Unrestrained Voices: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis on Formerly Incarcerated Trans People’s Perceptions of Safety During Incarceration. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. (1098)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_etd/1098.