Cruel and Unusual

Filmmaker Reid Williams' new documentary examines the punishing realities of transgender abuse in US prisons

In the United States, a shocking 30% of transgender people have been in incarcerated. Although the US Constitution forbids 'cruel and unusual' punishment for any crime, some argue that the placement of transgender women in male prisons represents this kind of punishment. Solitary confinement, hormone withdrawal, medical neglect, and sexual assault are among the punishing realities of a transgender inmate. Gay.com spoke with Reid Williams, whose award-winning documentary Cruel and Unusual chronicles the stories of five transgender prisoners and their often harrowing experiences.

Why did you make this film?

I was working with organisations that help at risk GLBT youth in New York City, and I was told a story of a transgender woman in the juvenile justice system. They put her in a men's facility where she was brutally raped and beaten repeatedly.

I was so shocked by this I was inspired to investigate where else this was happening in the US. I found the problem to be wide spread across the US prison system. Not one prison system had a just policy for transgender people.

The United States claims to be a model for human rights, and this is just one example where this is not true.

Did you encounter problems in the filmmaking?

The most difficult part of the filmmaking was getting access inside US prisons. The prison system is more than reluctant to let the outside world know what is actually going on inside.

Was there any situation too intense to include?

No. All of the participants in the film were very intent on having their story told no matter what revealing detail would come to light. They really are modern day warriors in a way. Their whole goal is to live as they feel they were born, and they would go to any length to live this truth.

What do you think needs to be changed in the jail system?

Prisons need to acknowledge the needs of transgender people. That includes providing accurate medical care and providing them the safety they deserve as human beings.

How about changes in transgender legislation?

I hope that all prisons will be forced to comply by standard medical practices in regard to transgender people. Unfortunately, they are not doing it on their own accord, so somehow it needs to be enforced for the safety of this population.

What’s your next project?

I'm producing a narrative feature which will begin shooting in two months. It's a very different experience compared to documentary film. I've never been able to control the outcomes of my subjects. In some ways that's more ideal however you owe the audience that much more.

Cruel and Unusual plays tonight, March 23rd at 20:40 at BFI Southbank.

London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
March 21 - April 4 2007
BFI Southbank
Belvedere Road
South Bank
London
SE1 8XT
Tel: 020 7928 3232

For screening information on Cruel and Unusual , click below