Elton John and R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe have joined forces to come to the defense of the rights of transgender prisoners.

The statement follows a series of harrowing reports detailing the treatment of transgender inmates in prisons across the U.S. state of Georgia.

The statement references the experiences of two transgender inmates, Ashley Diamond and Zahara Green.

"Transgender women in male prisons have an equal right to protection from violence and abuse in prison, yet they continue to face horrific injustices," the pair wrote.

"The experiences of Ashley Diamond and Zahara Green cast a harsh light on the brutality, torture and horrible conditions inside Georgia prisons today."

Diamond was reportedly denied access to her hormone therapy treatment, thrown into solitary confinement for "pretending to be a woman" and subjected to multiple counts of sexual abuse.

"We must do more to end the culture of violence and discrimination surrounding gender identity and expression.

We urge the state of Georgia to embrace desperately needed changes to their correctional system," the statement continued.