Scotland changes policy on sending transgender inmates to all-female prison: report
Justice warns against stigmatizing transgender women as threat against women, adding, 'predatory men are the risk to women'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After facing pressure to intervene in the transfer of a transgender convicted rapist to an all-women’s prison, Scotland’s government has decided to stop transferring such inmates with a history of violence against women to its all-female prison, according to reports.
The Agence France-Presse, or AFP, reported the decision was made just days after a rapist was removed from the all-female prison.
Isla Bryson, 31, formerly known as Adam Graham, from Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, arrives at the High Court in Glasgow. Following a six-day trial at the High Court a jury has found the transgender woman guilty of raping two women when she was a man: one in Clydebank in 2016 and one in Drumchapel, Glasgow, in 2019. Picture date: Monday January 23, 2023. See PA story COURTS Bryson. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images) (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)
Some people worry women-only spaces are being compromised by those who are fighting for transgender rights.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Saturday, violent trans prisoner Tiffany Scott was granted permission to transfer to an all-women’s Scottish prison after previous requests were rejected.
Scott is known as one of the most violent inmates in the Scottish prison system, the Daily Record reported, and managed to stalk a 13-year-old girl while incarcerated under a former identity as Andrew Burns, by sending her repeated letters.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}While incarcerated, Scott has reportedly been involved in several violent attacks against guards, a female nurse and fellow inmates. She has also inflicted self-harm by attempting to hang herself after shredding "tear-proof" clothing and ripping an IV out of her arm.
HMP Low Moss prison near Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, a murder inquiry has been launched into the death of a prisoner on Monday. PA Photo. Picture date: Thursday January 9, 2020. Following a post-mortem examination, police have now launched a murder investigation into the death of 47-year-old Darren Brownlie. See PA story SCOTLAND Prisoner. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)
Scottish government officials also faced pressure to intervene in the transfer of Isla Branson, another convicted rapist, who was initially granted approval for an all-women’s prison. The decision was later reversed.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Tuesday, Bryson was found guilty of raping two women in 2016 and 2019 while still known as Adam Graham.
Before sentencing on Tuesday, Bryson had been transferred to an all-women’s prison known as Cornton Vale. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon ordered that decision to be reversed on Thursday.
The security issues surrounding incarnated prisoners and their gender identity has surfaced in the aftermath of a gender recognition bill that was passed in December by Scottish members of parliament. The bill was then blocked earlier this month by the U.K. government.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}BRITISH PM MAY BLOCK SCOTTISH GENDER LAW, SAYS GOVERNMENT REVIEW ‘COMPLETELY REASONABLE’
Opponents to the bill that Sturgeon first introduced six years ago, which allows people to change their gender identity more easily, said it did not provide enough safeguards in instances where abusive males could potentially take advantage of the system.
The AFP reported that Scottish Justice Minister Keith Brown ordered a review of current practices, as the subject is "highly emotive" and that "the public concern is understandable."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Brown warned against stigmatizing transgender women as an inherent threat to women.
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"Predatory men are the risk to women," he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Still, Brown said the announcement on Sunday had nothing to do with Scotland’s blocked gender recognition law.
Caitlin McFall contributed to this report