A leading prison reformer has called for prisoners who have committed violent sexual offences against women to be barred from transferring to women's prisons unless they have legally changed their gender. The comments follow the case of Karen White, a transgender inmate who sexually assaulted fellow prisoners after being moved to a women's prison.
White was on remand for multiple rapes and other sexual offences when she transferred to New Hall prison near Wakefield. She later admitted to sexually assaulting two inmates between September and November last year, before being moved to a men's prison.
Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said vulnerable women were being put at risk by a small number of violent men. She criticised decisions that had harmed women and put staff in difficult positions. Crook argued that men with a history of serious sexual or violent offences against women should not be placed in women's prisons unless they have completed the full legal gender recognition process.
The Ministry of Justice has apologised for mistakes in White's case, noting that previous offending history was not considered. A Prison Service spokesperson said safety of all prisoners must be the absolute priority. The government is currently consulting on reforming the Gender Recognition Act, which some fear could allow dangerous men access to vulnerable women in prisons.
Trans rights groups argue that transgender prisoners are among the most vulnerable and are let down by the current system. However, campaigners warn that nearly half of trans women prisoners are sex offenders, and safeguarding women must take precedence.
