Full Breakdown
Protests Erupt Over Housing Policies at Minnesota Women's Prisons
11/19/2025, 3:50:27 AM
Protest Against Housing Policies
On November 18, 2025, singer-songwriter Tish Hyman led a protest outside the Shakopee Women’s Correctional Facility in Scott County, Minnesota, opposing the state's policy that permits men who identify as women to be incarcerated alongside female inmates. The protest was organized by a group concerned about the implications of this policy for the safety and dignity of women in prison. Kerri Bruss, one of the organizers, emphasized the need for sex-segregated prisons, stating, “There are areas of life where the physical and biological differences between the two sexes must be recognized and respected.”
Hyman articulated her concerns over the potential dangers posed by housing men in women’s prisons, arguing that even a single male inmate could create significant risks for female prisoners. She expressed her frustration, saying, “You can only imagine how that could be dangerous,” and highlighted the physical disparities between male and female inmates. Hyman's remarks underscored her belief that allowing men in women’s prisons is an “injustice” that needs to be addressed.
Key Statements from the Protest
During the protest, Hyman criticized the current policies, stating, “These are women. They’re human beings... Just because you committed a crime does not make your life less valuable.” She further claimed that the presence of men in women’s facilities is not only unjust but also dangerous, asserting, “Women need protection from men. They should not be in the prisons with us.”
Bruss echoed Hyman's sentiments, calling on the state of Minnesota to reconsider its policies. She stated, “We call on the state of Minnesota to stop disregarding international humanitarian guidelines, and the sex-based protections that women have campaigned and died for.” The protestors demanded that “predatory men” be removed from women’s prisons, emphasizing the need for policies that prioritize the safety and privacy of female inmates.
Criticism of Current Policies
The protest has drawn attention to broader debates surrounding transgender rights and the implications of housing policies in correctional facilities. Critics of the current approach argue that it undermines the safety and rights of women, while supporters of transgender inclusion contend that such policies are essential for the dignity and rights of transgender individuals. The protestors, however, maintain that the safety of women must take precedence.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Hyman concluded the protest by calling for legislative action to remove male inmates from women’s prisons, stating, “Whatever bill needs to be passed to get them outta here, that’s what we need to do.” The protest highlights ongoing tensions in the discourse surrounding gender identity and prison policies, suggesting that further discussions and potential legislative changes may be forthcoming in Minnesota and beyond.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are here to raise awareness about the injustice that’s happening in this prison and many prisons throughout America,” — Tish Hyman, Singer-Songwriter
- “Whatever bill needs to be passed to get them outta here, that’s what we need to do.” — Tish Hyman, Singer-Songwriter
- “We call on the state of Minnesota to stop disregarding international humanitarian guidelines, and the sex-based protections that women have campaigned and died for, in service of a trendy ideology that recklessly neglects the rights, privacy and safety of women and girls.” — Kerri Bruss, Organizer
