**Lawsuit Alleges Unsafe Housing and Mistreatment of Transgender Woman in Los Angeles County Jail**

Coretta Simo Love Monks, a transgender woman living in California, has filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), alleging violations of her rights to safe and respectful housing while in custody. The case is currently working its way through the Superior Court of California and is set for trial in May 2024.

Monks, who legally identifies as female and has lived as a woman for years, was arrested in September 2023 following a nuisance violation related to a mental health crisis. At the time of her arrest, Monks requested to be housed with other women, citing her gender identity and personal safety concerns. Despite this, she was placed in a men’s housing unit at the county’s Twin Towers facility, a mental health jail located in downtown Los Angeles, where she was detained without formal charges or conviction.

According to the lawsuit, Monks was forced to shower with male inmates, creating a dangerous, degrading, and humiliating environment due to her sex and gender identity. The complaint alleges that Monks avoided showering altogether for months because of this distressing situation. It further claims that, overwhelmed by despair, she attempted suicide by drowning herself in a filthy toilet while in custody. Following the incident, Monks was hospitalized at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center before her eventual release.

Monks’ attorney, Carlos Hernandez, stated that this was not the first time she was housed with men during detention. He emphasized that the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) mandates that jails and prisons make individualized, case-by-case housing decisions for transgender individuals—considering where they feel safest and not relying solely on genitalia for placement decisions.

“The county knew she already had vulnerabilities,” Hernandez said. “Despite that, she was placed in a situation subjecting her to degradation that would break anyone down.”

The lawsuit highlights serious concerns regarding how Los Angeles County, often viewed as a national standard for transgender policies, complies with legal requirements in handling transgender detainees. Monks’ case adds to growing evidence that many detention facilities continue to ignore federal mandates related to the housing and safety of transgender individuals. Her legal identification as female, Hernandez noted, strengthens her claim that the department failed to provide appropriate accommodations.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for the harm Monks endured during her detention.

This is not the first time LASD has faced accusations of mistreatment toward transgender individuals. In 2023, a sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty to assaulting Emmett Brock, a 23-year-old transgender man who was not involved in any criminal activity. Following that incident, eight other deputies were relieved of their duties.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to requests for comment, stating that the department takes all allegations of discrimination seriously and is committed to upholding the safety, dignity, and rights of all individuals in their care. While the spokesperson was not immediately familiar with Monks’ case and did not respond to follow-up questions, they reiterated the department’s compliance with federal law regarding transgender detainee placement.

“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department continues to reaffirm our commitment to creating an environment that is fair and respectful for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity,” the statement read.

Attorney Hernandez acknowledged that the county has taken steps to improve policies on housing transgender detainees, often working in partnership with local LGBTQ+ organizations. Transgender individuals are typically placed in specialized populations separated from the general jail population. However, he asserted that these protections were not extended to Monks during her time at Twin Towers.

Monks’ case underscores the urgent need for detention facilities to adhere strictly to federal guidelines and to prioritize the safety and dignity of transgender people in custody. As her lawsuit moves forward, it will likely shed further light on systemic challenges faced by transgender individuals in the criminal justice system.
https://19thnews.org/2025/09/lawsuit-la-county-sheriff-detention-transgender-individuals/