Bureau of Prisons to provide gender-affirming surgery for ex-Illinois inmate who's transgender

Bureau of Prisons agrees to provide gender-affirming surgery for transgender inmate

Cristina Iglesias will also receive other treatments, including permanent facial hair removal and a breast augmentation.

CHICAGO - In a landmark decision, the Federal Bureau of Prisons is agreeing to the first ever gender-affirming surgery.

Former Illinois inmate Cristina Iglesias has been petitioning for the surgery since 2016. She's been in federal custody for 28 years and is now living in a residential re-entry program.

The judge ordered the Bureau of Prisons to find a specialist to perform the surgery before the end of her release this December.

Federal Bureau of Prisons ordered to fund gender-affirming surgery for inmate

Former Illinois inmate Cristina Iglesias has been petitioning for the surgery since 2016. She's been in federal custody for 28 years and is now living in a residential re-entry program.

The ACLU of Illinois won the ruling, citing the 8th Amendment which protects prisoners from cruel and unusual punishments.

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The transgender woman will also receive other treatments, including permanent facial hair removal and a breast augmentation.

Other surgeries Iglesias will receive once released from custody will be paid for from an escrow fund administered by a retired federal judge.