A transgender inmate has sparked controversy after impregnating two female inmates at New Jersey’s Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, the state’s only women’s prison. The incident, reported on August 26, 2025, has reignited debates over transgender inmate policies and prison safety.
Identified as Demi Minor, 27, the inmate was transferred to a men’s facility following the pregnancies, which resulted from consensual relationships, though such interactions are prohibited under state prison regulations.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in balancing gender identity policies with prison security.
The pregnancies, first reported in April 2022, stem from consensual encounters at Edna Mahan, which houses 27 transgender inmates under a 2021 settlement with the ACLU of New Jersey.
This agreement allows transgender prisoners to be housed according to their gender identity, a policy hailed as progressive but now under scrutiny.
Minor, serving a 30-year sentence for manslaughter, was moved to the vulnerable housing unit at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, a men’s prison, after the incident. Critics argue that the policy fails to address safety concerns, while supporters emphasize the need for gender-affirming housing.
Public reaction reflects polarized views. Some users demand stricter oversight, with posts claiming the policy endangers female inmates. Others defend transgender rights, arguing that consensual relationships should not lead to punitive transfers.
The controversy has drawn attention to Edna Mahan’s troubled history, including allegations of sexual abuse by staff and plans for its closure announced by Governor Phil Murphy in 2021 following reports of inmate assaults.
Minor’s transfer has raised concerns about her safety and access to gender-affirming care, such as hormone therapy, which may be limited in a men’s facility.
In a letter posted on Justice 4 Demi, Minor described her transfer as retaliatory and alleged mistreatment during the process, though the Department of Corrections found no evidence to support claims of abuse.
The case has prompted calls for policy reassessment to ensure both transgender inmate rights and the safety of all prisoners. The incident underscores broader issues of prison reform and gender identity policies.
As New Jersey navigates these complexities, the Edna Mahan facility remains a focal point for criticism, with advocates urging solutions that protect all inmates.
The pregnancies have fueled demands for clearer guidelines on housing transgender inmates to prevent similar incidents while respecting gender identities.
