New York City jails to accommodate transgender inmates

NEW YORK (AP) — Officials say inmates in New York City’s jail system will be housed with the gender they identify with.

Monday’s announcement means New York will join San Francisco in establishing a policy to accommodate transgender inmates.

City human rights commissioner Carmelyn Malalis says respecting people’s gender identity is key to treating them with respect.

Under a 2016 executive order, schools, recreation centers and other city-owned buildings must let people use the bathrooms of the gender they identify with.

The Department of Correction initially received a partial exemption from the order because of inmate safety concerns.

The new effort seeks to reconcile those safety concerns with city policy.