"Human Livestock"

Last night as Lorne and I were discussing his options (ok, he talked, I just listened) regarding the soon to happen closure of Nevada State Prison.  He was expressing the frustration he felt at being at the mercy of the prison systems with regard to where he could go.  Lorne, unlike so many, does have some options open to him.  He has enough "yard points" (I think that is what he called them) where he can be classified as a minimum security (he is in a medium facility at the moment) and can request transfer to one of the camps (not likely due to medical issues) or other "Lorne preferred" facility.  He has no enemies to speak of, no gang affiliations, etc. that would limit his ability to make those requests or change his custody level. 
However it was a comment that he made regarding himself that really bothered me...he referred to himself as "human livestock".  He was right of course...like any other form of livestock, they have no say in where they are sent.  They are put in a bus, usually within hours of being notified they are being moved, and sent on down the road.  NSP inmates know that they will be moved...its all over the papers by now that it is closing within the next 12 months.  Most of them also have a good idea of where they will be going...High Desert State Prison.  It is unlikely that the inmates will know exactly which facility they are being sent to until they are given their paperwork and told to get on the bus.  Most facilities do this as a security precaution, and I can see their point.  I'm also sure that many inmates will be putting in transfers to those facilities that they deem to be more suitable to their personal tastes and NSP will have to work through that mess of applications too. 
But the term livestock truly bothered me...made me cry even.  These inmates, even if they are scum of the earth, are people that should be treated with at least a minimal amount of human dignity.  How sad is it that this is how inmates view themselves? as livestock, having no mind or will of their own, to be unable to control even the smallest part of their destiny.  Lorne isn't livestock to me...he is a very real, living, breathing human being with thoughts, feelings and a heart that beats just like mine does.  He has the ability to vocalize his pain, his feelings in such a way that any other human can understand them. 
To me he is Lorne...my heart, not a piece of livestock.