Trans women in men's prisons: Isamar Morales's testimony.
Feature
Isamar Morales, a transgender woman, spent nearly four years incarcerated in Costa Rica's male prisons between 2006 and 2010. Her testimony exposes the brutal conditions trans women face in the country's penitentiary system.
During her incarceration, Isamar witnessed a fellow inmate's murder. Facilities held approximately 40 people in spaces designed for 26. Bathrooms lacked privacy, forcing her to shower exposed to other inmates, creating constant vulnerability to assault.
Prison authorities denied her basic dignity: feminine clothing and makeup were prohibited, conjugal visits refused, access to hormone therapy and appropriate healthcare denied, and her request to be classified as a woman for legal purposes was rejected.
Today, Isamar coordinates prison outreach for Transvida, a Costa Rican human rights organization. Through an agreement with the Justice Ministry, they now deliver hygiene kits, feminine clothing, and legal information to incarcerated trans women.