Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People in Forensic Social Work Practice

Abstract

Abstract The author of the chapter provides an overview of critical issues for transgender, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming people starting with defining transgender/nonbinary/gender nonconforming people for shared understanding. Next, the chapter’s author explores histories of oppressive forensic systems designed to target transgender or gender nonconforming people through their interactions with the police, the courts, and correctional institutions. Several key issues are overviewed that transgender people face in forensic systems include access to identity documents, criminal justice system mistrust, continuous cycles of system engagement, forensic systems failures, and double hard time. Subsequently, the author closes the chapter with observations and commentary about the current state of affairs governing transgender and gender nonconforming people’s interactions with forensic institutions as well as recommendations for forensic social work practice with transgender, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming people.