Challenges Faced by Black Transgender Women in North Carolina's Prison System

This article explores the struggles faced by Black transgender women in North Carolina's prison system and their challenges during reentry into society, highlighting the initiatives of Mohagany's Mission, founded by Mohagany Foster.

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Reentering society after incarceration poses significant challenges for many individuals, but Black transgender women face additional hurdles. Mohagany Foster, a 47-year-old Black transgender woman, spent 18 years cycling in and out of North Carolina prisons. She describes a survival mode that often leads to re-incarceration due to the lack of support and resources available to her community. Toyia Dockery, another trans woman with a similar history, echoes this sentiment, stating that the societal discrimination they face compounds their difficulties upon release.

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Both Foster and Dockery have experienced the harsh realities of homelessness and the inadequacies of shelters, which often fail to provide safe environments for transgender women. Foster notes that many shelters make arbitrary decisions about who qualifies for entry based on whether they "pass" as women, leaving many vulnerable to discrimination and violence.

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In response to these challenges, Mohagany Foster founded Mohagany's Mission in 2022 while still incarcerated. The organization aims to uplift and support formerly incarcerated transgender women and gender-expansive individuals. Foster emphasizes the importance of having Black trans people in leadership roles within the organization, stating, "We want people coming out of prison … to see themselves in us." The mission seeks to provide essential resources, including housing, job support, and healthcare, particularly gender-affirming care, which has become increasingly difficult to access following the passage of North Carolina House Bill 805.

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Foster has expressed the need for sustainable funding to support the mission's long-term goals, including the establishment of a transitional home for reentering trans individuals. She highlights the importance of community support, stating, "Without external support, it's very hard to reenter as a trans woman in N.C." The North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections has initiated a Reentry 2030 plan aimed at improving the reintegration of formerly incarcerated residents, although it has been criticized for not specifically addressing the needs of transgender individuals.

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Despite the positive intentions behind the Reentry 2030 plan, critics like Toyia Dockery argue that it overlooks the unique challenges faced by Black transgender women. Dockery points out that while cisgender individuals have access to reentry houses, transgender women are often left without tailored support, stating, "A transgender woman is just left out here to rot."

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While some individuals, like Aaliyah Straite, have reported receiving immediate support upon release, others have faced delays in accessing essential services such as SNAP benefits. The lack of specific mention of transgender individuals in state reentry initiatives raises concerns about the adequacy of support for this marginalized group.

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• "You go through a dark, dark place as you release." — Toyia Dockery, Transgender Woman

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• "It's very hard to reenter as a trans woman in N.C." — Mohagany Foster, Founder of Mohagany's Mission

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• "A transgender woman is just left out here to rot." — Toyia Dockery, Transgender Woman

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The experiences of Black transgender women in North Carolina's prison system illustrate the urgent need for targeted support and resources during reentry. Initiatives like Mohagany's Mission represent a vital step toward addressing these challenges, but systemic changes are necessary to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their identity, receive the support they need to reintegrate successfully into society.

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