Days after receiving a 35-year prison sentence for leaking hundreds of thousands of classified documents to WikiLeaks, former Army private Bradley Manning is back in the headlines.
In a letter to NBC morning show, “Today,” Manning wrote that she is a woman and should be referred to as Chelsea Manning.
“Given the way that I feel, and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible. I hope that you will support me in this transition,” Manning wrote.
Although Chelsea Manning’s revelation came as shock to many, it was not completely unexpected.
According to NBC, Manning struggled with gender identity during her trial and much of her life.
Although a request of such nature is rare — especially from someone in prison — it is clear the government should respect Manning’s wishes.
The problem lies, however, on whether taxpayers should shoulder the burden of hormone therapy.
Following Manning’s letter, the Army released a statement explaining its position on Manning’s newest revelations.
“The Army does not provide hormone therapy or sex-reassignment surgery for gender identity disorder,” it wrote in a statement. “The [United States Disciplinary Barracks] has implemented risk assessment protocols and safety procedures to address high risk factors identified with the Prison Rape Elimination Act.”
As evidenced by the former quote, it’s clear the Army has expressed no desire to fulfill Manning’s wishes.
Although the Army’s position is both logical and understandable, a question will likely arise about the policy’s fairness.
Perhaps the Army should re-evaluate its position on Manning. If prisoners are entitled to other medical operations or treatments, should Manning be entitled too?
A CNN article recently addressed questions on the feasibility of obtaining treatments like hormone therapy in prison.
Recently, some federal courts have allowed prisoners to obtain hormone therapy by citing the Eighth Amendment.
The amendment states that no “cruel and unusual” punishment should be given to any American citizen.
Under this statute, many have argued that hormone therapy is necessary and the deprivation of such treatment constitutes punishment.
If Manning wants hormone therapy, she will likely have to transfer to a civilian prison.
If indeed Manning does suffer from gender identity disorder, then she is entitled, by law, to some form of treatment.
Depriving Manning of hormone therapy on the basis of her crimes or the nature of her request would be illegal and illogical.
Some Americans will likely oppose Manning’s request on the basis that it is not the taxpayers’ obligation to fund such a treatment.
However unnatural Manning’s request may appear, it is clear that her desire to receive treatment is both a legal and human decision.
Shane Newell is a junior journalism major and the opinions editor at the Daily 49er.