Narrator: One of the great controversies, after things settled down after the change, was what to do about the former prison population. Some argued that the changed were new people, free of the testosterone curse that led to violent crime. Imprisonment was inappropriate for their new personalities. Others, among them organizations of crime victims, argued that they were the same people, however superficially altered by the change, and should serve out their terms. The second group won, although parole boards have become significantly more liberal since their is little fear that violent offenders released into the community will reoffend. We visited a state prison and talked to one of the inmates, Isabel.
Isabel: Naturally, in this all male-environment, the change was obvious and overwhelming. Prison culture, of course, was extremely macho, and a lot of the guys--and the guards for that matter--freaked out. Some men were already living female roles and for them it was easier, but I think everyone was terrified at first. I know I was. Before I realized that everyone had changed, I was utterly terrified of being gang-raped.
Narrator: What happened when everyone got over the initial shock?
Isabel: Well, as you know, changed women tend to be more feminine? And the prison environment is disgusting. We were physically repulsed. Guys started tearing down the centerfolds on the walls of their cells, and the guards brought some cleaning supplies. After a hour or so, just about everyone was busy cleaning.
<The camera pans around the prison, to show it is immaculate and has been painted in some places in bright, sunshiny colors.>
Narrator: The prison is a much more feminine and clean environment now. Even the smell has improved.
Isabel: Yes. Its also safer--violence from both guards and inmates has dropped to nothing. No more gang fights!
Narrator: Can I ask you what you were sentenced for?
Isabel turns away from the camera. Isabel: I was a rapist. I deserve all the bad things that have happened to me.