Inmates with a history of violence toward women will no longer be transferred to female facilities
The Scottish government announced on Sunday that it would provisionally stop having some transgender prisoners sent to female jails. Officials clarified that the measure would apply to those inmates who are known to have acted violently toward women in the past.
The change in stance came shortly after convicted rapist Isla Bryson was transferred to the country’s sole all-female prison last week, a move that elicited a public outcry. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon eventually intervened and ordered the transgender prisoner removed from the female facility.
Announcing the decision, Scottish Justice Minister Keith Brown made a point of emphasizing that the assumption that “trans women pose an inherent threat to women” is fallacious.
“However, as with any group in society, a small number of trans women will offend,” he added.
Brown also revealed that the policies for housing transgender prisoners may undergo further changes as the Scottish authorities are conducting an urgent review of Bryson’s case. The assessment involves “experts in women affected by trauma and violence,” according to a Scottish Prison Service spokesperson.
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