Transgender people who are jailed at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in New York are speaking out about ongoing problems inside the prison. Many say that new rules at the prison are making life harder and less safe for them. They also say these changes break important protections that are supposed to keep them safe behind bars.

Bedford Hills is a high-security prison for women in New York State. It is run by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and has housed many women for decades. The prison has had a reputation as a tough place, and it has also been singled out for having high rates of sexual victimization.

In August 2025, a new leader took over part of the prison’s security operations. After this change, transgender inmates reported that the prison started limiting their access to showers and indoor recreation time. They say the new schedule makes it hard for them to shower regularly and puts them at greater risk of harassment and abuse.

What Changed and Why Prisoners Are Worried

Under the new rules, only a small number of people can use the showers at one time. Before, groups of six or seven people could shower together. Now, only two people are allowed at once, and transgender inmates say that special shower times that once protected them have disappeared. These protections were meant to help transgender people avoid harassment while showering.

Some prisoners say they have gone three or more days without a shower because there were no open slots. According to reports, when inmates cannot get a shower, correctional staff sometimes offer a bucket of hot water in their cells instead. Many people say this is not a real solution to basic hygiene needs.

In addition to shower issues, the prison has curtailed indoor recreation time for many units. Recreation time is when incarcerated people can exercise or spend time out of their cells. Some say that being stuck in cells for longer periods can make life inside the prison much harder, especially for people who are older or have health problems.

Why Advocates Say This Is a Big Problem

Advocates and legal experts argue that the new rules harm transgender inmates and break the law. One of the main laws they say the prison may be violating is the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). This federal law was passed in 2003 to protect incarcerated people from sexual abuse and harassment. PREA rules include things like giving transgender people safe options for showering and housing so they are not put at risk of assault.

Legal aid attorneys also point to a New York state law called the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term (HALT) law, which limits how long prisoners can be kept in very strict control situations like forced confinement. Some activists say the new schedule effectively keeps people locked in their cells too much, which could violate this law too.

A lawyer from The Legal Aid Society said that the new system of scheduling showers and recreation has “created an environment where harassment can grow.” They point out that when it’s hard to access basic things like showers, people get frustrated and tensions rise.

Stories From People Inside the Prison

Several transgender people in Bedford Hills spoke to reporters and said that harassment and violence increased after the new rules went into effect. One inmate, Sara, said the leadership “created a culture where sexual harassment and violence flourish.” Another, Nur, said the problems began “as soon as administration switched powers.”

Advocates say that limiting shower access also made transgender people targets for harassment. Because transgender inmates now have to request a private shower time that is rare and limited, other prisoners sometimes resent them for taking a time slot. This causes additional stress, fear, and unsafe conditions.

A History of Other Cases at the Prison

This is not the first time transgender people at Bedford Hills have brought attention to mistreatment. In 2024, a transgender man who had been incarcerated at Bedford Hills sued the state after being forced to undergo genital exams that were meant to determine his genital status. This kind of exam is supposed to be banned by PREA rules, yet he said it was done without his consent. That case resulted in a $275,000 settlement for the inmate. The Legal Aid Society

Other surveys and research have also shown that transgender people in prisons across the United States face much higher rates of harassment, assault, and abuse compared to others. One recent study found transgender inmates are several times more likely to be sexually assaulted than cisgender inmates. Transgender Law Center

What Advocates Are Asking For

Right now, transgender rights groups and legal organizations are calling for the prison to reverse the new shower and recreation policies. They want the facility to bring back safer shower schedules that protect transgender people, and they want leaders who respect and enforce the law. They are also asking for stronger oversight so that prison officials are held accountable when they ignore protections for vulnerable inmates.

Some advocates have started petitions and public campaigns to raise awareness about what’s happening inside Bedford Hills. They hope this will encourage lawmakers and prison administrators to make changes that keep incarcerated transgender people safe.