Hannah Finnegan’s journey through the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) has been marked by abuse, neglect, and systemic failure. Represented by Elizabeth Mazur, an attorney at HSPRD, and Melinda Power of West Town Law Office, Finnegan’s case is set to go to trial this fall, highlighting the urgent need for reform in the treatment of transgender individuals in prisons. In May 2018, Hannah Finnegan, a transgender woman, was transferred to Lawrence Correctional Center. Despite being classified as “vulnerable,” and despite an order from the Warden that she be single celled only, Finnegan was placed in a cell with an inmate convicted of predatory criminal sexual assault, who subsequently assaulted her.
Policy vs. Practice
Finnegan’s case exposes the gap between policies and their enforcement. According to Mazur, prison staff often disregard the needs of transgender prisoners, exposing them to significant risks. Despite IDOC’s claims of commitment to transgender care, Finnegan faced persistent misgendering and deadnaming by staff
A Systemic Issue
After her assault at Lawrence, Finnegan filed an emergency grievance, fearing placement in solitary confinement “for her protection.” During the investigation, she faced hours of intrusive questions about her sexual history and gender identity, accusing her of having consented to the attack. In response to her grievance about her attacker’s continued presence in a shared cell, prison officials dismissively stated that the “IDOC reserves the right to assign offender housing as deemed appropriate.”
“Hannah has shown tremendous courage coming forward to shine a light on the abuses people face in Illinois prisons every day. We look forward to getting justice for Hannah and bringing her home,”
Elizabeth Mazur
Seeking Justice and Reform
After 13 years in men’s prisons, Finnegan was finally transferred to Logan Correctional Center, a women’s facility, in 2021. However, many transgender women continue to be housed in men’s prisons, facing similar risks. “Hannah has shown tremendous courage coming forward to shine a light on the abuses people face in Illinois prisons every day. We look forward to getting justice for Hannah and bringing her home,” says Elizabeth Mazur.
As Finnegan’s case heads to trial, it serves as a reminder of the need for systemic change. At HSPRD, we are committed to fighting against such injustices and advocating for vulnerable people in oppressive systems. Hannah Finnegan’s courage is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the ongoing struggle for dignity and justice.
Bring Hannah home: Click here to sign Hannah’s petition for clemency.
Click to read the full Chicago Reader story on Hannah Finnegan here.
