Almost two thirds of transgender women in prison are convicted sex offenders, shocking new data from the Ministry of Justice has revealed.
The figures reveal that 151 out of 245 trans women inmates, who are legally recognised as male, have committed at least one sexual offence.
This represents 62 per cent of the trans women prison population who do not hold a Gender Recognition Certificate.
The latest statistics show the number of prisoners who identify as transgender but lack official gender recognition has increased by almost 10 per cent to 295 in 2024.
Isla Bryson was sent to Scotland’s only women’s jail after being convicted of the rapes of two women in February 2023
PA
Official figures also show there are 50 prisoners who identify as trans but report their legal gender as female, marking a 13.6 per cent increase from 2023.
The Ministry of Justice data revealed that 10 prisoners have been issued with a full Gender Recognition Certificate, legally changing their gender under the Gender Recognition Act.
But the location of these inmates within the prison system was not specified in the data.
New rules have been implemented restricting where transgender prisoners can be placed within Britain’s prison system.
MORE TRANS OUTRAGE:
The Ministry of Justice data revealed that 10 prisoners have been issued with a full Gender Recognition Certificate
PA
Trans prisoners who identify as women but have male genitalia cannot be held in female jails.
Those convicted of violent sexual offences are also barred from female prisons, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
These policy changes reflect a tightening of regulations around transgender prisoner placement within the UK prison estate.
The new rules followed the high-profile case of Isla Bryson, who began identifying as a trans woman while awaiting trial for rape charges.
PICTURED: Isla Bryson, formerly known as Adam Graham, arrives at the High Court in Glasgow
PA
Bryson was found guilty in February 2023 of two rapes and sentenced to eight years in prison.
Initially, Bryson was sent to the all-female Cornton Vale prison in Scotland.
The decision sparked public outrage, leading to Bryson’s transfer to a male prison facility.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Well over 90 per cent of transgender women in custody are held in the men’s estate and those who’ve been convicted of sexual or violent offences – and/or who retain male genitalia – cannot be held in a women’s prison unless in truly exceptional circumstances.”
