Transgender woman with breasts, no male genitalia forced to live with, shower with male inmates

Updated: 2:13 PM EST Feb 21, 2019 SOURCE: WYFF News 4LILLINGTON, N.C. —

A transgender woman convicted of insurance fraud is serving time at a men's prison in North Carolina despite her repeated requests to transfer to women's housing.

Kanautica Zayre-Brown, 37, is believed to be the state's only post-operative transgender prisoner, The News and Observer reported Wednesday.

Despite a policy adopted by North Carolina’s Department of Public Safety entitling transgender inmates to possible services, including gender-appropriate housing, Zayre-Brown’s request for housing in a women’s prison has so far been denied.

The state has continued to recognize her as a man and by her birth name, Kevin Chestnut, which she legally changed.

Imprisoned as a habitual felon in 2017, Zayre-Brown is serving up to nine years and 11 months in Harnett Correctional.

Harnett has eight housing units divided into 29 separate dormitories that house nearly 1,000 male inmates.

Even though she has breasts and completed sex reassignment surgery before her imprisonment, Zayre-Brown showers and changes in front of male inmates.

She says she constantly fears being assaulted.

Zayre-Brown told The News and Observer that she understands that she broke the law and is rightfully imprisoned, but all she wants is fairness.

She said has requested women’s underwear, bras, hygiene and shoes, which should be allowed under the change in policy.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Jerry Higgins says the case is under review.