Justice secretary announces changes to trans prisoner housings

Transgender prisoners “with male genitalia” should “no longer be held” in women’s prisons, justice Secretary Brandon Lewis has announced.

While Mr Lewis has confirmed that the new rule is not a blanket approach, with exemptions to be considered on a “case-by-case basis”.

The Justice Secretary added that he would bring forward a new policy on the matter later this year.

Mr Lewis said: “On October 4 I announced reforms to our policy for the allocation of transgender prisoners.

“Under the reforms, transgender prisoners with male genitalia should no longer be held in the general women’s estate.

“This will not be a blanket rule; exemptions to these new rules will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

“This will also apply to transgender women who have been convicted of a sex offence.

“Further detail about these reforms will be announced when we publish our updated transgender prisoners policy framework before the end of the year.”

The latest figures as of April 2021 show there were 197 trans prisoners being held in prisons in England and Wales.