Trans woman Jules M. Williams, a former inmate of the Allegheny County Jail, filed suit this week against various jail officials, alleging abuse due to being housed in the male section of the jail.
The jail, located in downtown Pittsburgh, houses about 2,500 inmates.
Williams, 37, contends she was repeatedly raped and suffered severe physical and verbal harassment during various stays at the jail since 2015.
Her 32-page lawsuit was filed Nov. 6 in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. The suit accuses jail personnel of refusing to ensure her safety and privacy, thus violating her constitutional rights.
As an inmate, Williams was required to expose her naked body to male guards and other inmates while showering, while receiving medication and while strip-searched, according to the suit.
In 2015, Williams was repeatedly raped by a male cellmate over the course of four days, according to the suit.
“In 2016, aware of Jules’ previous rape, jail personnel nevertheless stripped her naked and placed her in a suicide bubble — in full view of male inmates and guards for at least 30 minutes,” said Alec B. Wright, an attorney for Williams. “Jules remained in that suicide pod for five days, only partially clothed. During that time period, male guards told male inmates to ‘Come see the tranny on display,’ and ‘Come see the freak show.'”
This year, Williams was physically assaulted by a male inmate, despite her repeated requests to be placed in a female facility, according to the suit. Jail personnel also failed to provide Williams with necessary medications, including hormone therapy, according to the suit.
Amie Downs, a spokesperson for Allegheny County, declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation.
Wright said Williams seeks damages in excess of $35,000, along with attorneys’ fees and a declaration that defendants violated her constitutional rights.
“Jules is just so brave,” Wright added. “She began living as a woman as a teenager. Since that time, she’s been hated and she doesn’t know why. Jules is a human being. Her humanity should be respected. And so should the humanity of all other trans women who go into our institutional facilities in this country.”
Wright also expressed hope that Williams’ suit will help other trans women.
“The irrefutable fact of this lawsuit is that the jail’s practice intentionally strips transgender women of their right to human dignity,” Wright concluded. “All of this foreseeable harm could easily be avoided if jail personnel would simply place trans women in gender-appropriate housing.”