An NPR-affiiated public broadcaster has released a sympathetic profile on a trans-identified male inmate accused of sexual assault and threatening female inmates while serving his sentence in a women’s prison. KQED, the member station for NPR and PBS in Northern California, suggested Syiaah Skylit was a victim of transphobic hoaxes and targeted punishment.

Skylit, born Jonathan Roberston, is currently serving a 16-year sentence on multiple counts of robbery with a gun. While he had initially been placed in a men’s prison, Skylit, along with the help of trans activists, fought for transfer to a women’s facility, and was eventually placed at the California Central Women’s Facility (CCWF) in mid-2021.

Skylit was one of many male inmates who were transferred to CCWF following the implementation of SB 132, also known as the Transgender Respect, Agency, and Dignity Act.

The bill went into effect in January of 2021, and allowed male inmates to seek transfer to women’s prisons on the basis of self-declared gender identity. Under the law, male inmates do not have to be on hormones, have surgery, be diagnosed with gender dysphoria, or even have legal documents stating they have a transgender status in order to be approved for transfer.