Scottish Prison Service 'pauses' movement of all transgender inmates
Scottish Prison Service ‘pauses’ movement of all trans inmates as it launches ‘urgent review’ of transgender cases amid outrage over double rapist Isla Bryson
- No trans person in custody with history of violence against women will be moved
- No newly convicted trans person with history of violence against women will be placed in female prison
The Scottish Prison Service is ‘pausing’ the movement of all transgender inmates – as it launches an ‘urgent review’ of trans cases in its prisons amid outrage over the Isla Bryson debacle.
The move follows outcry over double rapist Bryson, a trans woman convicted of assaulting two women while a man known as Adam Graham.
Bryson was initially remanded to Cornton Vale women’s prison before being moved to a male wing at HMP Edinburgh – after the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon faced public pressure to have her transferred.
Justice Secretary Keith Brown, who announced the measures today, said the ‘urgent lessons learned review’ into the Bryson case will be completed by Friday.
The ‘urgent review’ follows outcry over double rapist Isla Bryson (pictured), a trans woman convicted of assaulting two women while a man known as Adam Graham
Justice Secretary Keith Brown, who announced the measures today, said the ‘urgent lessons learned review’ into the Bryson case will be completed by Friday
The prison service was already undertaking a wider review of its transgender policy, which is set to continue.
Until that ends, Mr Brown said that no transgender person already in custody with a history of violence against women will be moved from the male to female estate.
Additionally, no newly convicted or remanded transgender prisoner with any history of violence against women (including sexual offences) will be placed in the female estate.
Any exceptional cases will need the approval of Scottish ministers, Mr Brown added.
Bryson, pictured here as Adam Graham, was initially remanded to Cornton Vale women’s prison before being moved to a male wing at HMP Edinburgh
In a statement, the Justice Secretary said the measures would be in place until the Scottish Prison Service completes a review of its management of trans prisoners.
‘I understand that the issue of any trans woman being convicted of violent and sexual offences is a highly emotive subject and that the public concern is understandable,’ said Mr Brown.
‘As the first minister pointed out last week, we must not allow any suggestion to take root that trans women pose an inherent threat to women.
‘Predatory men are the risk to women. However, as with any group in society, a small number of trans women will offend and be sent to prison.
‘Therefore, I hope that the measures I am about to highlight will offer reassurance in the ongoing ability of the prison service to manage trans individuals and ensure the safety of all prisoners.’
The prison service was already undertaking a wider review of its transgender policy, which is set to continue
He continued: ‘It is important to be clear, however, that SPS policies have in no way been changed or impacted by the recent passing of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill (which, in any event, is not yet in force).
‘SPS have already been undertaking, in dialogue with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders, a review of the management of trans prisoners, which is nearing completion.
‘In addition, an urgent lessons learned review has been instructed in relation to the case of Isla Bryson, with any learning to be applied immediately to existing transgender cases in the prison estate.
‘The latter review will report to the CEO by Friday February 3.’
Meanwhile, a Scottish Prison Service spokesperson confirmed that the urgent review had begun.
‘Our first concern is always, and remains, the health, safety, and wellbeing of all the people in our care, and that of our staff,’ they said.
‘We have therefore paused the movement of all transgender individuals, until the review has been completed.’
They added that the review would consider any history of violence or sexual offending against women, and any associated risk they pose.
‘Until the review is completed, any trans individuals, with a history of violence towards women, will only be admitted to the male estate, in segregation, when they first enter our care,’ they said.
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