As ministers fight to keep self‑identifying male offenders in women’s prisons, the implications for women’s safety — and for the very definition of a women’s prison — have never been more stark, says Kevin McKenna.

At what point does a government cross the line separating bad faith from pure malevolence? You might reasonably conclude that any government which knowingly threatens the safety and wellbeing of its most vulnerable and traumatised citizens has crossed that line. So, how then to describe Scottish Government Ministers’ rationale in fighting for violent male prisoners self-identifying as female to be placed in the female prison estate?

A 2023 House of Commons report into women in prison summarised the underlying issues concerning female offenders. “They are often sentenced to custody for non-violent, low-level but persistent offences, and are more likely than men to be sentenced for short periods of time,” the report said. “Female offenders are often the most vulnerable in society and have varied and complex needs. Many have experienced mental health problems, substance misuse, homelessness, abuse and trauma in their lives.”

The Scottish Government though, believes that the rights of these traumatised women are subordinate to those of men convicted of serious sexual crimes who suddenly decide that they are women. There was the case of Isla Bryson, formerly known as Adam Graham, who raped two women and was initially remanded to a women's jail after being found guilty, but was then moved to a men's facility.

Ministers say that banning transgender prisoners from female jails would breach their human rights. They are defending a legal action brought by For Women........

© Herald Scotland