Judge ruled that denying sex reassignment surgery to Michelle-Lael Norsworthy violates her constitutional rights . The inmate 's birth name is Jeffrey Bryan Norsworthy . Surgery could cost taxpayers up to $ 100,000 and is the second time such an operation has been ordered in California . Norsworthy has been in prison since 1987 , serving a life sentence for first-degree murder .
Judge ruled that denying sex reassignment surgery to Michelle-Lael Norsworthy violates her constitutional rights . The inmate 's birth name is Jeffrey Bryan Norsworthy . Surgery could cost taxpayers up to $ 100,000 and is the first time such an operation has been ordered in California . Norsworthy has been in prison since 1987 , serving a life sentence for second-degree murder .