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Government vows to provide transgender prisoner numbers Government vows to provide transgender prisoner numbers
(34 minutes later)
The government has committed to providing figures on the numbers of transgender prisoners for the first time, as the prisons minister faced calls for action after a transgender woman was found dead in an all-male prison.The government has committed to providing figures on the numbers of transgender prisoners for the first time, as the prisons minister faced calls for action after a transgender woman was found dead in an all-male prison.
Vicky Thompson, 21, had told friends she would kill herself if she was sent to Armley, a category B men’s prison in Leeds, where she was pronounced dead last Friday.Vicky Thompson, 21, had told friends she would kill herself if she was sent to Armley, a category B men’s prison in Leeds, where she was pronounced dead last Friday.
Her death was a tragedy that “could, and should have been avoided”, said the Liberal Democrats leader, Tim Farron, who wrote to Michael Gove, the justice secretary, on Friday to seek an urgent review of the allocation of all trans people currently in prison to ensure no one is put at unnecessary risk. Her death was a tragedy that “could, and should have been avoided”, said the Liberal Democrat leader, Tim Farron, who wrote to Michael Gove, the justice secretary, on Friday to seek an urgent review of the allocation of all trans people currently in prison to ensure no one is put at unnecessary risk.
“It should not take a death to realise that the current system is broken and in urgent need of review,” Farron added.“It should not take a death to realise that the current system is broken and in urgent need of review,” Farron added.
A review of the custody policy in relation to transgender prisoners was started earlier this year and guidance would be implement in due course, the prisons minister, Andrew Selous, told MPs on Friday.A review of the custody policy in relation to transgender prisoners was started earlier this year and guidance would be implement in due course, the prisons minister, Andrew Selous, told MPs on Friday.
Speaking in parliament after an urgent question about the issue was raised by Labour, he also committed to publishing figures on the number of transgender prisoners and details of their experiences.Speaking in parliament after an urgent question about the issue was raised by Labour, he also committed to publishing figures on the number of transgender prisoners and details of their experiences.
“We believe that Vicky Thompson was being looked after in accordance with the relevant procedures but that is now a matter for the prisons and probations ombudsman and coroner,” said Selous.“We believe that Vicky Thompson was being looked after in accordance with the relevant procedures but that is now a matter for the prisons and probations ombudsman and coroner,” said Selous.
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“The management and care of trans people in prison is a complex issue and the review is using the expertise developed by Noms [National Offender Management Service] practitioners as well as engaging with relevant stakeholders, including those from the trans community.” “The management and care of trans people in prison is a complex issue and the review is using the expertise developed by Noms [National Offender Management Service] practitioners as well as engaging with relevant stakeholders, including those from the trans community.” He insisted that “decency is at the heart” of the prison system.
He insisted that “decency is at the heart” of the prison system.
The shadow minister for women and equalities, Cat Smith, called on the government to take action at a time when the number of deaths among prisoners in custody has risen to the highest in a decade.The shadow minister for women and equalities, Cat Smith, called on the government to take action at a time when the number of deaths among prisoners in custody has risen to the highest in a decade.
She said the placement of transgender prisoners on the prison estate would increase in importance while prisoner numbers, overcrowding in cells and the number of individuals coming forward for gender reassignment surgery were all rising.She said the placement of transgender prisoners on the prison estate would increase in importance while prisoner numbers, overcrowding in cells and the number of individuals coming forward for gender reassignment surgery were all rising.
Thompson, who had been handed a 12-month jail term in August, suspended for 24 months, was remanded in custody at Bradford crown court after breaching the terms of the sentence. She had been born male but identified as a woman from her mid-teens. She asked the judge to send her to New Hall women’s prison near Wakefield, but her request was denied.Thompson, who had been handed a 12-month jail term in August, suspended for 24 months, was remanded in custody at Bradford crown court after breaching the terms of the sentence. She had been born male but identified as a woman from her mid-teens. She asked the judge to send her to New Hall women’s prison near Wakefield, but her request was denied.
Her solicitor, Mohammed Hussain, described Thompson, who had not undergone gender reassignment surgery, as a vulnerable transgender woman and told the judge she was “essentially a woman”. An investigation has been launched into her death.Her solicitor, Mohammed Hussain, described Thompson, who had not undergone gender reassignment surgery, as a vulnerable transgender woman and told the judge she was “essentially a woman”. An investigation has been launched into her death.
Related: Transgender prisoner at HMP Bristol 'being sexually harassed'Related: Transgender prisoner at HMP Bristol 'being sexually harassed'
According to Ministry of Justice (MoJ) guidelines, all prisoners should be placed according to their gender “as recognised by UK law”, which is usually as stated on their birth certificate. If they have obtained a gender recognition certificate, a new birth certificate will have been issued.According to Ministry of Justice (MoJ) guidelines, all prisoners should be placed according to their gender “as recognised by UK law”, which is usually as stated on their birth certificate. If they have obtained a gender recognition certificate, a new birth certificate will have been issued.
However, the rules also say some transgender people will be “sufficiently advanced in the gender reassignment process” that they could be placed “in the estate of their acquired gender, even if the law does not yet recognise they are of their acquired gender”.However, the rules also say some transgender people will be “sufficiently advanced in the gender reassignment process” that they could be placed “in the estate of their acquired gender, even if the law does not yet recognise they are of their acquired gender”.
In addition, a case conference must be convened and a multi-disciplinary risk assessment should be carried out to determine how best to manage a transgender prisoner’s location.In addition, a case conference must be convened and a multi-disciplinary risk assessment should be carried out to determine how best to manage a transgender prisoner’s location.
Stonewall, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights campaign group, also warned on Friday that there was an urgent need for a change in the law. Its chief executive, Ruth Hunt, said: “We are shocked and saddened by Vicky Thompson’s death and our thoughts are with her family and her partner during this difficult time.Stonewall, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights campaign group, also warned on Friday that there was an urgent need for a change in the law. Its chief executive, Ruth Hunt, said: “We are shocked and saddened by Vicky Thompson’s death and our thoughts are with her family and her partner during this difficult time.
“Vicky is one of many trans people who have lost their lives due to prejudice, discrimination and legal and social inequality. We now urgently need a change in the law, to ensure trans people can live freely as themselves without fear of violence or intimidation.”“Vicky is one of many trans people who have lost their lives due to prejudice, discrimination and legal and social inequality. We now urgently need a change in the law, to ensure trans people can live freely as themselves without fear of violence or intimidation.”
MoJ guidelines had already been under scrutiny following the widespread attention given to the case of Tara Hudson after transgender activists successfully campaigned to have her relocated from a men’s prison.MoJ guidelines had already been under scrutiny following the widespread attention given to the case of Tara Hudson after transgender activists successfully campaigned to have her relocated from a men’s prison.