Scottish Prison Service to publish review of trans policy later this year

The review was launched last November in response to an increase in the number of trans people in women’s prisons.

Sue Brookes, director of strategy and stakeholder engagement at the Scottish Prison Service’s (SPS), said it was consulting with “various stakeholders within the community and those living and working across prison establishments”.

Women’s interest groups have also been invited to provide responses.

Ms Brookes said: “Invitations have been extended to a range of community groups and stakeholders to engage with us, including groups who represent women in custody, and women’s interests.

“Meetings will take place between February and May.

“In addition, we are also engaging with prison staff who have experience of working with transgender people in custody. This includes female and male staff with experience of managing transgender people in custody and managing the policy, ranging from residential prison officers to governors in charge of establishments. This engagement is currently underway.”

The SPS will also consult with trans prisoners in the coming weeks as well as the wider prison population via a survey.

Ms Brookes said: “We plan to invite all women in custody and a proportionate number of men to complete the survey.”