A former inmate at the Shakopee Correctional Facility testified before lawmakers, urging them to vote against SF 473, legislation that would allow males to be housed in facilities designated for women.

Jayme Ali addressed the committee, identifying herself not as an organizational leader, but as a former inmate recounting her personal experience while incarcerated in Minnesota’s women’s prison system.

“Good afternoon, everybody. I thank you for this opportunity today to testify. My name is Jaymie Ali, president of TAINTED, trauma affected individual, not for transgender men, equally divided today, I don't come to testify before you as president of tainted or president of anything. Today, I come to test before each and every one of you as number 2030, 69 Jamie Ali, former inmate of Shakopee correctional facility here in Minnesota,” Ali said.

She told lawmakers she was there to describe what she experienced while housed in a facility designated as a women’s prison and to oppose the proposed bill.

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“I'm here to testify before each and every one of you my experience while being housed in a facility designated as a woman's prison, and I'm asking that you vote no to SF 473, being housed in a facility designated for women, but including males, cause profound and ongoing trauma.”

Ali detailed the psychological and physical effects she said resulted from the housing policy.

“I experienced intense panic attacks, withdrew from my classes and turned to food for comfort, despite having a diagnosed eating disorder, this led to cycles of weight gain, distress and misuse of laxatives and attempt to regain control over my body.”

She described daily routines inside the facility as a source of fear.

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“Daily routines, including showering and using restroom with doors that did not lock, trigger constant fear that someone might enter an army the President's the presence of individuals I believe to be were predatory men, including those with histories of sexual offenses, left me hyper vigilant and unable to sleep at night.”

According to Ali, the stress had measurable physical consequences.

“The ongoing stress cost severe teeth grinding, resulting in dental damage.”

She also testified about conduct she witnessed while incarcerated.

“I also witnessed behavior in custody that heightened my fear and a sense of danger, such as reports of individuals identifying as transgender women engaging in sexual behavior with the incarcerated women. These situations intensified my distress and reinforced a sense of institutional failure to protect my safety.”

Ali said the environment triggered past trauma and worsened her mental health.

“This environment triggered past sexual trauma fueled nightmares and worsened feelings of low self esteem and helplessness. I felt ignored and unsupported by state leadership and correction officials. Corrections officials which deepen the emotional harm and expanded the lasting impact of these experiences.”

She told the committee that the housing conditions directly affected her ability to function.

“During my incarceration, the living nightmare I lived and was forced to live was directly related to the housing environment. Every shower felt like a risk, every trip to the restroom triggered fear, and every night I lay awake anticipating harm. This environment did not merely create discomfort, the psychological impact was acute and measurable. My ability to function, participate in rehabilitation and maintain mental stability deteriorated.”

After being told to conclude her remarks, Ali emphasized that her testimony was based on lived experience rather than political advocacy.

“Okay, thank you. And so therefore I'm not here as a political advocate, but as a woman who has lived through something that deeply harming. As a survivor of prior sexual assault, this environment did not feel rehabilitated. It felt like re traumatization. Policy decisions made in this building do not exist in theory. For us, they exist in concrete, still locked doors and in our nervous systems, public policy must balance competing rights, but it cannot ignore the psychological and physical harm inflicted on incarcerated women in the process asking you to see it."

WATCH:

The committee continues to consider SF 473 as debate proceeds over housing policies within Minnesota correctional facilities.

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