Indiana has sparked nationwide outrage after a federal judge ordered taxpayers to fund gender reassignment surgery for a convicted baby killer. This landmark ruling showcases the latest clash between progressive ideology and traditional values in America’s prison system.
At a glance:
• A federal judge ordered Indiana to provide gender reassignment surgery to transgender inmate Autumn Cordellioné, who is serving 55 years for killing a baby
• Cordellioné, born Jonathan Richardson, began transitioning in 2020 while incarcerated and sued with ACLU support
• Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita condemned the ruling, stating “convicted murderers don’t get to demand taxpayers foot the bill for controversial sex-change operations”
• A prison psychologist determined Cordellioné was not a suitable candidate for surgery, attributing distress to personality disorders rather than gender dysphoria
• The case highlights a growing trend, with California alone spending $4 million on sex-change surgeries for inmates between 2017 and 2023
Court Overrides Medical Experts and State Law
Judge Richard Young granted a preliminary injunction requiring the Indiana Department of Correction to “take all reasonable actions to secure Ms. Cordellioné gender-affirming surgery at the earliest opportunity.” The ruling directly contradicts Indiana law prohibiting taxpayer-funded sex reassignment surgeries for inmates and dismisses professional medical evaluations arguing against the procedure.
The ACLU filed the lawsuit in 2023, claiming that denying the surgery violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on “cruel and unusual punishment.” Cordellioné, who strangled her then-wife’s 11-month-old daughter in 2001 and is serving a 55-year sentence, claims to have identified as female since age 6.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has strongly defended the state’s position against providing the surgery. “Convicted murderers don’t get to demand that taxpayers foot the bill for expensive and controversial sex-change operations,” Rokita stated, highlighting the common sense position that many conservatives share regarding such extraordinary medical accommodations for violent offenders.
Professional Medical Assessment Ignored
Perhaps most troubling in the case is how the court casually dismissed expert medical opinion. Psychologist Dr. Kelsey Beers evaluated Cordellioné and determined the inmate was not a suitable candidate for surgery, concluding that Cordellioné’s distress stemmed from antisocial and borderline personality disorders rather than genuine gender dysphoria.
“Dr. Beers concluded that Ms. Cordellione was not a proper candidate for surgery because of her conclusion that Ms. Cordellione doesn’t have gender dysphoria at all. Rather, Dr. Beers concluded that Ms. Cordellione’s purported distress is actually a manifestation of her… ‘established pattern of attention-seeking behavior’,” court documents revealed. This professional assessment aligns with many conservative concerns about certain inmates potentially exploiting progressive policies for special treatment.
Despite this expert testimony, Judge Young dismissed the report, writing: “the court finds that Dr. Beers’ report does not present a significant factual development that would cause it to reconsider its grant of injunctive relief as to Ms. Cordellioné’s Eighth Amendment claim.” The ruling requires the preliminary injunction to be renewed every 90 days until the surgery is provided.
Finding a surgeon may prove difficult as the only gender-transition clinic in Indiana reportedly refuses to operate on inmates. Meanwhile, Cordellioné has already received accommodations including female clothing and makeup while incarcerated.
Growing Trend of Taxpayer-Funded Surgeries
The case follows similar controversial rulings across the country, with California spending $4 million on sex-change surgeries for inmates between 2017 and 2023. According to reports, there are over 5,000 transgender inmates in U.S. prisons, potentially creating a massive taxpayer burden if similar rulings become the norm.
In Idaho, a federal judge ordered the state’s prison medical care provider to pay over $2.5 million in legal fees to transgender inmate Adree Edmo. Edmo, who was serving time for sexually abusing a minor, sued in 2017 claiming Eighth Amendment violations when denied gender confirmation surgery and was eventually transferred to a women’s facility.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found a prison physician was “deliberately indifferent” to Edmo’s medical needs, setting a dangerous precedent for similar cases. Under Corizon’s contract with Idaho, the company was required to “hold harmless” the state from claims due to negligent acts by its employees.
Cordellioné’s criminal history raises serious ethical questions about prioritizing such expensive procedures. According to court records, when asked about the crime, Cordellioné callously stated, “Well, all I know is I killed the little f***ing bitch,” showing little remorse for the murder of an 11-month-old child.
