Mass. Transgender Inmate Seeking Electrolysis

The chief psychiatrist for the Massachusetts Department of Correction says a transgender inmate who won a court order for taxpayer-funded sex-change surgery has no medical need for further electrolysis treatments.

Dr. Robert Diener testified Monday on Michelle Kosilek's request to have additional hair-removal treatments. Diener said he evaluated Kosilek in 2010 and again last month and concluded that Kosilek's anxiety level hasn't changed, even though she hasn't had electrolysis treatments since 2008.

Under questioning by Kosilek's lawyer, Diener said he was told that prison officials stopped electrolysis after seven treatments because it was too expensive.

Judge Mark Wolf didn't immediately rule.

Prison officials are appealing Wolf's ruling ordering sex-reassignment surgery for Kosilek.

Kosilek was born male and named Robert when convicted of the 1990 murder of wife Cheryl Kosilek.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.