STRUTTING down the corridor from his cell to the canteen, male transgender prisoner Franklin grins as dozens of female prisoners shake their bums for him.

The 24-year-old is the only prisoner who identifies as a transgender man in this women-only jail - despite not having undergone genital reassignment surgery, meaning he has to stay in a female prison - and as a result he's in high demand.

8 Franklin is the only transgender man in a US women's prison Credit: Flicker Productions

Franklin, who is doing time for armed robbery, says he is a "man trapped in a woman's body" and admits he has sexual relationships with multiple women in the prison.

"I’m going to f*** with whatever b****es I want to f*** with," he admits.

8 Franklin attracts a lot of attention in the all-female prison Credit: Flicker Productions

Franklin - who has identified as male since he was 20 - says the prison is full of sex-obsessed women - and that most of his fellow inmates are in same-sex relationships while inside if they can't get him.

"Most of them are gay for the stay. They come in here, they gay. At the gate they leave right out and go right back to a regular dude," he admits, despite relationships between prisoners being illegal under US law.

'Everyone is gay for the stay'

The question of where transgender prisoners should be held is contentious, due to concerns from some people about safety.

In November 2018, trans rapist Karen White was sent to a men's prison after sexually assaulting two prison guards during a stay in a women's prison.

In the US, sexual relationships among prisoners are banned, in order to prevent sexual assault among prisoners - even if it is consensual.

8 Karen White was sent to a men's prison after sexually assaulting two prison guards Credit: Enterprise News and Pictures

Franklin appears in Channel 5 series Banged Up: Bad Girls Behind Bars, which is filmed inside Western Massachusetts Regional Women's Correctional Centre.

The 24-year-old, who has the word "humble" tattooed in script lettering on his forearm, was transferred from Wyatt Federal Prison to Rhode Island for breaking the rules regarding relationships with inmates.

8 The women like his masculine appearance Credit: Flicker Productions

"Everyone was doing it. But they were so focused on me because I was the only boy-girl whatever you want to call it that was there. The attention was always drawn on Franklin," he complains.

Officer Zalucki, a guard at his new facility, explains: "Even if it is consensual on both sides it is still against our policy.

"We do not allow relationships in our facility we like to keep boundaries and to prevent any assault or harassment happening."

But despite this, Franklin says sex is rife in the female-only prison.

8 Franklin has a tattoo on his arm that reads 'humble' Credit: Flicker Productions

8 Franklin, who is in prison for armed robbery, sets his sights on Leslie (left) Credit: Flicker Productions

His fellow inmate Missy explains: "When you’re in a relationship and binding your time with another woman they call it 'catching rec'. If you go have rec time, that is what they call it. It’s a slang word for it.

"With Franklin in there, there are so many girls that are on him that you just stand back. He’s a little player," she adds.

8 Franklin has been described as a 'little player' by his fellow inmates Credit: Flicker Productions

Prisoners on the prowl

As soon as Franklin arrives in pod 3B, he is on the prowl for a new love interest and attracts Jackie who he quickly brands "possessive" and India who is the prison "cutey".

"In 3B there is a few people that like me, but there was only a couple that was arguing back and forth over me," he says.

Franklin isn't impressed by either of the women and quickly lays eyes upon inmate Leslie Rivera.

It's love at first sight for the armed robber who spots his new romantic interest in a transition class where pre-sentence inmates in orange suits like Franklin, mix with sentenced inmates in green.

8 Franklin gossips about his feelings for Leslie in the courtyard Credit: Flicker Productions

"First time I saw Lesley was the first time I went to transition and she was at the front of the class and she turned around to me and said Franklin come and sit right here. I was like 'damn, wow'," he gushes.

Leslie is serving a six month sentence with two year probation after being charged with assault and battery for attacking her friend who she believed was sleeping with her then boyfriend.

She is housed in 2B, a separate building from Franklin, so for him the only time he can pursue any sort of romance is in class, in front of the guards who are keeping a close eye.

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If love blossoms between the pair they must keep their relationship secret or face being placed in solitary confinement.

So it looks like Franklin will have to keep his love for Leslie on lockdown.