Transgender identity and psychiatric care in Italian prisons: a thematic analysis of systemic gaps and institutional challenges

TL;DR

This study explores the challenges faced by transgender inmates in Italian prisons, highlighting systemic issues that worsen their mental health and well-being.

Contribution

The paper provides novel qualitative insights into institutional barriers to gender-affirming care in specialized prison units for transgender individuals.

Findings

Institutional frameworks using binary gender models create confusion and psychological strain for transgender inmates.

Intra-group tensions arise from unclear housing policies and differences in transition pathways among inmates.

Limited access to hormone therapy and inconsistent psychiatric care disrupt continuity of treatment in prison settings.

Abstract

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals face high levels of stigma, discrimination, and psychological distress, which are amplified in carceral settings. Italian prisons have introduced specialized sections for TGD inmates; however, limited empirical evidence exists on their function and the psychiatric, social, and institutional challenges emerging within them.

A case-informed qualitative design was applied to four TGD inmates housed in a specialized prison section in Northern Italy. Data were derived from routine psychiatric and endocrinological assessments, administrative documentation, informal and semi-structured interviews, and multidisciplinary team observations. A thematic cross-case synthesis was conducted to identify institutional determinants of distress and barriers to gender-affirming care.

Three themes emerged. (1) Context-dependent fluidity in gender identity recognition and categorization: institutional frameworks relied on static binary models, contributing to confusion and psychological strain. (2) Intra-group tensions within designated housing: discrepancies in transition pathways, administrative criteria, perceived authenticity, and the presence of sexual minority inmates generated conflict and social exclusion. (3) Gaps in gender-affirming and psychiatric care: logistical barriers, limited staff training, reliance on telemedicine, and inconsistent access to hormone therapy disrupted continuity of care and exacerbated distress.

These findings illustrate how rigid systems and ambiguous housing policies may reinforce minority stress and undermine psychiatric well-being. Protective units can inadvertently reproduce exclusion when gender identity and sexual orientation are conflated or when criteria for placement remain unclear. Correctional systems should adopt flexible gender-recognition procedures, implement trauma-informed practices, develop distinct housing policies, establish standardized pathways for gender-affirming care, and provide specialized staff training to ensure dignity, safety, and improved mental health outcomes for TGD inmates.