The Scottish Prison Service says it will pause the movement of all trans prisoners until the review ends.
The Scottish Prison Service has announced an “urgent review” of all transgender cases in its prisons.
It says it will pause the movement of all transgender inmates until the review is completed.
The move follows outcry about the case of Isla Bryson, a trans woman convicted of raping two women before changing gender.
She was initially remanded to Cornton Vale women’s prison before being moved to a male wing at HMP Edinburgh.
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “We have commenced an urgent review of all transgender cases currently managed in our establishments.
“Our first concern is always, and remains, the health, safety, and wellbeing of all the people in our care, and that of our staff.
“We have very robust risk assessment processes, and a track record of keeping people safe, in often challenging circumstances.
“We have therefore paused the movement of all transgender individuals, until the review has been completed.”
They said the review would consider any history of violence or sexual offending against women, and any associated risk they pose.
The spokesperson added: “Until the review is completed, any trans individuals, with a history of violence towards women, will only be admitted to the male estate, in segregation, when they first enter our care.
“This arrangement will be progressed in line with our human rights obligations.
“Finally, our ongoing policy review will be independently assessed by experts in women affected by trauma and violence.”
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