A transgender inmate, Karen White, sexually assaulted fellow prisoners after being transferred to a women's prison while on remand for multiple rapes and other sexual offences against women. White admitted to the sexual assault of two inmates at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday, alongside a rape committed before imprisonment.
The case has sparked criticism from prison reform advocates. Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, stated that decisions influenced by 'extreme conversations' have put vulnerable women at risk. She argued that prisoners with a history of violent offences against women should not be transferred to women's prisons unless they have legally changed their gender.
White was initially held at New Hall prison near Wakefield, where she allegedly committed four sexual assaults between September and November last year before being moved to a men's prison. The Ministry of Justice apologised, noting that previous offending history was not considered during her transfer request, contrary to standard procedures.
Statistics reveal that of 125 transgender prisoners in England and Wales, 60 have been convicted of one or more sexual offences. The Prison Service has pledged to prioritise safety, stating: 'We apologise sincerely for the mistakes which were made in this case.'
The government is currently consulting on reforms to the Gender Recognition Act, with some groups warning that self-identification could enable dangerous individuals to access vulnerable women. Trans rights groups counter that existing processes already scrutinise requests and assess risks.
