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Taxpayers pay for prisoner's sex change
20 November 2004
By OSKAR ALLEY

Taxpayers paid for the first phase of Joanne Martin's sex change operation and yesterday her luck continued when the burglar with more than 100 convictions escaped another prison term.

An investigation by The Dominion Post has confirmed that Martin had the surgery – to remove her testicles – while a prisoner.

A career criminal with 157 convictions spanning 20 years, she had her $2200-plus operation at Wellington Hospital, paid for by the taxpayer and provided by Capital and Coast Health.

She is also receiving a Work and Income benefit.

Martin was escorted from Rimutaka Prison by prison staff and underwent a bilateral orchidectomy – removal of the testicles – in August.

The procedure is the first surgical stage of a sex change operation and is favoured by transsexuals as it removes part of the male genitals and drastically reduces testosterone production.

Martin, who turns 35 late this month, is known to use female hormones and the absence of testosterone allows patients to develop more quickly as a woman.

She spent one night in hospital and was returned to prison the following day.

When The Dominion Post revealed Martin's surgery while she was in custody last month the Corrections Department said such surgery would breach its guidelines.

It has since refused to answer all further questions.

Martin has 87 burglary convictions. In 1988, she used a screwdriver to stab a security guard who confronted her, leaving him for dead.

Since 2000 she has been freed twice – and both times has reoffended within days.

Last month, Martin was granted bail – despite admitting two more burglaries – and has been living in a Wellington City Council flat.

She appeared for sentence in Wellington District Court yesterday on the three latest charges – but has been given a four-month reprieve and will continue to live in the community.

Martin walked into court dressed in a big sun hat, crisp white blouse covering a black bra and tight black ankle-length skirt, and wearing bright red lipstick.

She had her bags packed for prison and sat quietly head down and legs crossed at the back of the courtroom waiting for her name to be called.

But Judge Bruce Davidson handed her a lifeline, adjourning her sentencing till March.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Cotter, who headed the investigation that saw Martin jailed for five years in 2000, declined to comment on the sentencing adjournment, saying police were not allowed to question a judge's decision.

But another police source said Judge Davidson's decision was "a bloody disgrace".

"Her charmed run continues. Us taxpayers paid for her sex change and now she beats a jail term she totally deserves," the source said.

"Something's gone wrong when a criminal with 100-plus convictions gets free surgery while decent citizens wait on a list for a hip replacement."

Martin was freed from prison on September 15 but breached her parole conditions by failing to report to her probation officer. Three days later, she burgled an inner-city building and stole $481 in cash.

Judge Davidson allowed Martin to continue living on her September parole conditions – just minutes after Martin pleaded guilty to already breaching them – till they lapsed in March.

She will have to make a monthly court appearance to ensure she has conformed. If she broke them she would "undoubtedly" be sent to prison, he said.

"If she reoffends or breaches bail then the opportunity is down the drain, so to speak."

Martin stood in the dock backed up against the wall, using her hands to shield her groin as the judge considered her fate. Later, outside the courtroom, while rolling a cigarette, she declined to comment on her offending or her surgery.

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I think it's gonna make a BUTT UGLY woman. Shocked