Mass. transgender inmate fighting for electrolysis

Wolf has twice rejected requests from Kosilek for additional electrolysis treatments, but ordered prison officials to have Kosilek evaluated by an independent expert on gender-identity disorder. An evaluation was done in 2010, but Kosilek's lawyers objected to the use of a psychiatrist who works for the DOC, saying he could not be considered an independent expert.

In his Sept. 4 ruling ordering the DOC to provide Kosilek with sex-reassignment surgery, Wolf did not rule on the electrolysis request, saying the surgery "will be a material change in circumstances regarding any arguable serious medical need Kosilek may have for electrolysis."

Kosilek's lawyers filed a motion to amend Wolf's ruling in October, asking that the judge require the appointment of an independent expert to evaluate Kosilek's medical need for electrolysis. Wolf later ordered the DOC to provide the name of an independent expert who can give the court an opinion on whether Kosilek needs the electrolysis treatments if he orders an evaluation of Kosilek.

The DOC says Kosilek is not entitled to additional treatments.

Kosilek "is not seeking to correct an error of law or fact, but to relitigate the electrolysis issue raised at trial by obtaining new evidence and a rehearing," the DOC argued in court documents this month.