Prison Staff Warned Authorities About Transgender Killer Before Jail Assault
Staff at a Victorian women's prison have come forward with allegations that they explicitly warned correctional authorities against transferring a transgender murderer into their facility. Their warnings came just two months before the inmate sexually assaulted another prisoner in what whistleblowers describe as a predictable tragedy.
A Troubled Transfer and Swift Assault
Clinton Rintoull, who now identifies as Katelyne, was serving a 20-year sentence with a 16-year non-parole period for the brutal 2007 murder of 19-year-old Sudanese refugee Liep Gony. After transitioning while incarcerated in a men's facility, Rintoull was transferred to the minimum-security Tarrangower women's prison in April 2022.
Within just two months of this transfer, Rintoull sexually assaulted a vulnerable female inmate who had been placed nearby despite authorities classifying her as a 'fragile' prisoner due to a history of sexual trauma. The victim was a young mother with a baby, according to reports from the Herald Sun.
Whistleblowers Claim Warnings Were Ignored
Prison insiders now allege they repeatedly warned their superiors that Rintoull would pose an unacceptable risk to female inmates if the transfer request was approved. 'Everyone saw this coming,' one prison insider revealed. 'We all asked ourselves how long would it be before Rintoull assaults someone. The writing was on the wall.'
According to multiple sources, concerns were specifically raised about:
- The 'genuineness' of Rintoull's transition, with staff describing the inmate as a 'master manipulator'
- Rintoull's apparent calculation that life would be easier in a women's prison
- Specific behaviors including demands to swim in the male prison pool wearing a bikini and being allowed to shop online for underwear and makeup from the staff office
'All the officers were asking, "How long do you think it will take, a day, a week?", they knew,' another source explained, emphasizing that Corrections Victoria management received multiple warnings about the likelihood of Rintoull reoffending.
Aftermath and Policy Changes
Following the sexual assault, Rintoull was transferred back to the minimum-security Langi Kal Kal men's prison farm near Ballarat. The inmate was granted parole in 2024 and is now living in the community under an undisclosed new identity.
In response to this incident and mounting pressure, Corrections Victoria recently updated its policies for transgender prisoner placement. The new guidelines 'allow them less say over where they are held in custody' according to official statements.
However, significant controversy remains about how far these changes go. Senior Labor figures reportedly pushed for a blanket ban on male-born transgender killers or sex offenders being housed in female prisons. The Allan government has refused to implement such a comprehensive prohibition.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has called for stricter measures, demanding that transgender inmates convicted of sexual offences or violent crimes be banned from female facilities entirely.
Official Response and Ongoing Concerns
The Department of Justice and Community Safety declined to comment specifically on the Rintoull case when approached by the Herald Sun, though they did not deny any of the allegations presented to them.
A department spokesman stated: 'Corrections Victoria recently updated its policy for the placement of trans, gender diverse or intersex prisoners to make it clear that the safety and welfare of all prisoners is the top priority, as well the security and good order of the prison. Any allegations of assault in our prisons are taken seriously and investigated.'
The case has highlighted ongoing tensions between prisoner rights, gender identity policies, and institutional safety protocols within correctional systems. It comes amid revelations about the Allan Government's secret compensation payment to the victim of the jail sexual assault, adding another layer of complexity to an already controversial situation.
