Transgender prisoners with record of violence against women will be kept out of female jails as 'urgent' review called

29 January 2023, 19:32 | Updated: 29 January 2023, 21:15

Sturgeon has faced a series of controversies around trans prisoners in Scotland
Sturgeon has faced a series of controversies around trans prisoners in Scotland. Picture: Alamy

By Adam Solomons

Transgender prisoners with a history of violence against women will not be put in Scottish women's prisons for the time being as authorities launched an 'urgent' review into current practices.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

New guidelines announced today no transgender person with a history of violence against women will be moved from the male to female estate.

And no newly convicted or remanded trans prisoner with a history of violence towards women will be placed in the female estate to begin with.

It comes as the Scottish Government faces a flurry of controversy around offenders Isla Bryson and Tiffany Scott.

Read more: Shelagh Fogarty 'objects' caller's views on trans rapist

Read more: Fresh trans prisoner row as 'dangerous' inmate who stalked 13-year-old girl 'to be moved from men's to women's jail'

Isla Bryson, 31, was found guilty of rape last week
Isla Bryson, 31, was found guilty of rape last week. Picture: Alamy

Ms Scott will be released only when she is no longer considered an "unmanageable risk to public safety", but had a request to be transferred to a women's prison approved by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).

And convicted rapist Isla Bryson was initially remanded to Cornton Vale women's prison before being moved to a men's facility by the SPS.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has faced tough questions from MSPs, who consider her accountable for alleged failings under the current model.

Scottish Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “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.

Scotland has ordered an urgent review into current prison practices
Scotland has ordered an urgent review into current prison practices. Picture: PA

“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.

“We must also never forget that there are victims in these cases. My thoughts remain with them.”

Shelagh Fogarty disagrees with caller who says trans rapist should be housed in a female prison.

Scottish Labour’s justice spokeswoman Pauline NcNeill said the SNP has waited too long to act.

She said: "It should not have taken this level of public outcry to do the right thing.

“The Scottish Government now needs to change the policy which they oversaw and to bring forward guidance which take account of the views of woman prisoners as a matter of urgency to make sure this does not happen again.”

Caller scared about trans woman in prison despite being with Rose West

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

TV doctor Robert Winston

TV doctor Robert Winston quits BMA over ‘damaging’ strikes

Research revealed by LBC - from the Federation of Master Builders - reveals that 37% of adults have hired an unreliable or unqualified builder.

Brits left devastated by 'cowboy builders', as LBC reveals they've cost Brits £14.3bn in last 5 years

Some 1,286 individual AI-generated child sexual abuse videos were discovered in the first half of this year, according to new IWF data published on Friday.

AI-generated child sex abuse videos ‘now as lifelike as real footage’, charity warns

Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, Constable Luke Holden and police community support officer (PCSO) Timothy Parry were the first officers to arrive on the scene at the Taylor Swift-themed workshop on July 29 last year.

Officers who confronted Southport killer Axel Rudakubana recognised with bravery awards

An F-35 Lightning stealth jet performing a flypast during the commissioning ceremony for 809 Naval Air Squadron at RAF Marham in King's Lynn in Norfolk

Britain's most advanced warplane plagued by delays and shortfalls 'a disappointing return' on £11bn cost, NAO says

Columbus School and College, Chelmsford, United Kingdom. Architect: Haverstock Associates LLP, 2013. Panorama of schoolyard with

Special needs school put students at 'risk of harm' as headteacher sacked

Gregg Wallace outside ITV Studios  Featuring: Gregg Wallace Where: London, United Kingdom When: 29 Nov 2016

Gregg Wallace formally sacked from BBC over no confidence 'learned behaviour' can be changed

GPs will be told to stop giving sick notes to sign people off work.

GPs told to stop handing out sick notes and start sending people to job coaches and gyms

A TUI plane destined for Gatwick was diverted to an airport in Maine, US.

Brits stranded in 'war zone' conditions for 12 hours as TUI plane diverts mid-flight due to 'smoking'

The charred remains of Grenfell Tower, Notting Hill, London, Britain. The 24 storey residential Tower block was engulfed in flames in the summer of 2017.

Grenfell families accuse government of ‘shameless betrayal’ over pause on investigation into 'implicated' firms

John Lacey, 42, was sentenced to 14-months imprisonment.

Thug, 42, jailed for punching pregnant girlfriend in stomach in attack that 'changed victim forever'

Morgan Gibbs-White is set to join Tottenham

Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White set to join Tottenham in £60m transfer

Empty shop with To Let sign in central West London.

London store closures hit 10-year high - as government urged to invest £5bn to save UK's high-streets

Liverpool Women v Aston Villa Women - Pre Season Friendly

Arsenal close to record-breaking £1m signing of Liverpool’s Olivia Smith in landmark deal

Blue Stevens was stabbed to death in Knightsbridge after 'standing up to someone who was trying to steal his watch'

'I can't stop crying': Heartbroken mum of man stabbed to death outside five-star hotel 'for his Rolex' pays tribute

'Birkin' bag by Hermes which belonged to British-French actress and singer Jane Birkin

Original Hermes Birkin bag which belonged to actress Jane Birkin sells for £8.6 million