Case of transgender rapist prompts prison review

No transgender prisoner with a history of violence against women would be accommodated in a women’s prison, Scotland’s justice secretary said, as Scotland’s prison service announced an urgent review of all transgender inmates.

Keith Brown’s unscheduled statement came two days after Nicola Sturgeon said she did not favour “a blanket approach” to transgender prisoners, and amid growing pressure on her government after reports that another violent transgender prisoner had been approved for transfer into the female estate.

Isla Bryson, a transgender woman, was moved to Scotland’s only all-female prison last week after being convicted of two rapes, prompting outrage. Bryson was subsequently moved to the male estate. The transfer to a women’s prison of Tiffany Scott who stalked a 13-year-old girl was also halted. Scott has a history of attacking female prison staff.