Mass. Transgender Inmate Seeking Electrolysis

Updated November 19, 2012

The Associated Press

In this Jan. 15, 1993 file photo, Robert Kosilek, aka Michelle Kosilek, sits in Bristol County Superior Court, in New Bedford, Mass. (AP/Lisa Bul)

The chief psychiatrist for the Massachusetts Department of Correction has testified that 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.

Earlier:

This article was originally published on November 18, 2012.

This program aired on November 18, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.