Two senior U.S. defense officials said Thursday that the Army private once known as Bradley Manning is allowed to begin treatment for gender dysphoria while in military prison. The Bureau of Prisons rejected the Army's request to transfer Pvt. Chelsea Manning to a civilian facility.
According to the officials, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel approved the Army recommendation to begin the early stages of gender reassignment, which is marked primarily by psychiatric and psychological counseling. This approval also allows Manning to wear women's undergarments and shoes.
Manning remains in military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where she is held in a men's facility. She was sentenced last year to 35 years in prison, excluding the 1,294 days she has already served. She will be eligible for parole in about six years.
IN-DEPTH
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