There are reports in the UK and USA (amongst other countries) of women being forced to share prison accommodation with ‘intact’ natal men who self-ID as women.
There are also reported incidences where female officers have been assaulted by trans men (and of natal women in prisons, already traumatised and powerless, being assaulted by male officers). Quite possibly other types of assault have also occurred.
These are two such reports (both 2022):
No Men in Women’s Prisons – protests in England 2022
Female Prisoners in UK Forced to Shower with Intact Males
A few organisations have investigated the evidence around trans women in women’s prisons:
Keep Our Prisons Single Sex and
So what is the evidence, or what further evidence is needed, to ascertain whether carries policy carries unacceptable risks, and to whom?
What may be the optimal way forward, accommodating the needs or wishes of the various parties concerned? Who must be persuaded, if change is required?
[Read and discuss more about the Law, Mental health and Single sex spaces.]
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Referring to the article about women in prison being forced to shower alongside men still intact who identify as women.
I can imagine how powerless these born women must feel. They are in the most defenceless situation and are being overlooked in favour of opportunistic others. I believe the vast majority of people, if they come to know and understand the situation described, would be horrified and demand it is stopped with alternatives found. Perhaps Stonewall and other powerful lobby groups would be advised to use some of their large donations philanthropically to invest in third spaces for the people they are so vocal in supporting to the exclusion of others.
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Women’s prisons and trans issues…
https://www.realityslaststand.com/p/the-progressive-smoke-bomb
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Anger as trans inmates revert to males when they leave Scottish prisons
Concern after new research suggested that men who changed their gender to female in jail are switching back to their birth gender after release.
https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/scottish-news/anger-trans-inmates-revert-males-25840252 (14 March 22)
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Trans woman found guilty of rape will not be held in women’s prison, says Sturgeon
First minister tells MSPs Isla Bryson will not be detained in Scotland’s all-female Cornton Vale prison
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Why Scotland’s gender reform bill is sparking concern over trans prisoner policies
Analysts warn of legal challenges if bill makes inmates’ access to gender recognition certificates easier – though jail allocation is decided case by case
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/26/trans-prisoners-in-scotland-case-by-case (26 Jan 23)
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Trans woman found guilty of rape moved to men’s prison
Move follows Nicola Sturgeon telling MSPs Isla Bryson would not be detained at all-female Cornton Vale
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Prison bosses put transgender sex offenders into female prisons because they need “association with other women”
https://fairplayforwomen.com/transgender-prison-policy/ (16 May 2021)
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Labour Women Voices 