Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Female Prison Estate

Tuesday 21 February 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Last month, the government published a plan to improve outcomes and physical conditions for women in custody within the female offender strategy for England and Wales.
  • Safety must always come first, and prisoners are not held based on their self-declared gender identity.
  • Transgender women can be housed in the main women's estate only if a risk assessment deems it safe, and changes to policy prevent transgender women convicted of sexual offences from being housed there.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neale Hanvey
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The question addresses the need to ensure safety, privacy, and dignity for women within the female prison estate.

Question

What steps are being taken to ensure the safety, privacy and dignity of women within the female prison estate?

Answer from Damian Hinds

Last month, we published our plan to deliver the female offender strategy for England and Wales, including better outcomes and physical conditions for women in custody.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or measures regarding safety, privacy, and dignity of women.

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Q2 Neale Hanvey
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The controversy over the custody of Adam Graham, a double rapist, and other violent offenders has highlighted risks associated with self-ID policies. Statistics show 230 trans-identifying males have been held on the female prison estate, resulting in 97 sexual offences, including 44 rapes.

Question

The recent controversy over the custody of Adam Graham has illustrated dangers and naivety of self-ID policy with tumultuous consequences. With Ministry's statistics showing that 230 trans-identifying males are being held on the female prison estate causing 97 sexual offences, including 44 rapes, what action will the UK Government take to limit harm, review practices, and clarify equalities legislation to protect prisoners from abusive males?

Answer from Damian Hinds

Of course, safety must always come first. We do not hold prisoners based on their self-declared gender identity. Transgender women can be held on the main women's estate only if a risk assessment concludes it is safe. Changes to our policy mean no transgender woman convicted of a sexual offence or retaining male genitalia can be allocated to the general women's estate except in truly exceptional circumstances.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify actions for limiting harm and reviewing practices, nor did it clarify equalities legislation.

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