Officer Living as Woman Returns to Pa. Prison Work

Article Tools Print This Page | Comments(0) | Suggest a Story

By Allentown Morning Call

Published: 06/16/2003

A male prison officer now living as a woman has returned to work at Carbon County, Pa., Prison after a month-long administrative leave, and she and officials say the return has gone smoothly.
Nancy Stevens, who as Charles Tertel had worked at the prison since 1988, returned to work last week.
County officials placed Stevens on administrative leave after she legally changed her name April 3. She was on paid leave until May 7, when she began using all her vacation days before reaching an agreement with the county to return to work.
During the time off, Stevens and Teamsters Union Local 773, which represents the prison's officers, worked with the county to resolve ''legal issues'' involving her return to work.
Those issues, which no one would comment on before Stevens' return, included her ability to conduct strip searches on inmates, and to use restrooms and locker rooms, union President Dominick Buscemi said.
County Administrator Randall Smith said Stevens will no longer be required to do strip searches. The prison does not house women inmates long term, but some stay at the prison on short-term sentences or until the prison can find another facility.
The prison has other women officers who interact with inmates.
Another issue was whether Stevens would be allowed to wear a wig at work. It was decided she could not, since an inmate could use it as a weapon.
Smith said the leave was needed to correctly handle a delicate situation.
Buscemi said Stevens' return has gone smoothly. Stevens, 49, said that since returning to work, she is happy and content with her life.
She said she has undergone medication and hormone therapies for a little more than a year, and if she can complete a year of work living as a woman and is cleared medically, she could become a candidate for surgery.
''I am conforming to the job standards as best I can,'' Stevens said. ''It takes time for them to get used to me.
''I am a public servant. That is all I can say.''
With everything moving along fine so far, Smith said he hopes there are no problems ahead. ''Time will tell,'' he said. ''But we hope not.''

Comments:

No comments have been posted for this article.

Login to let us know what you think

MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search