Connecticut transgender youth transferred to adult jail

A transgender teenager in Connecticut was transferred out of state custody and into an adult prison on Tuesday after the Department of Children and Families said that it could no longer care for the youth, who identifies as a female and has a history of assaulting staff members. 

Despite having no criminal charges, the teen is now at York Correctional Institution in Niantic. She reportedly could be moved to Manson Youth Institution, an under-21 male prison, pending an evaluation.

In arguing for the transfer, DCF lawyers cited a statute that hadn't been used in 14 years and said that there was no other option for treatment. 

Some civil rights advocates – including Sandra Staub, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut – voiced criticism, saying the teen was targeted because she is transgender.

"No other girl in DCF custody has been endangered in this way. The result, if not the intent, is clearly discriminatory," Staub said.