THE Scottish Government has been urged to block the transfer of a second transgender prisoner to a women’s jail.
It is understood that Tiffany Scott, who stalked a 13-year-old girl while known as Andrew Burns, has applied to be moved onto the female prison estate.
The Daily Record reports that the transfer has been approved and is likely to happen later this year, with the Scottish Tories calling for the move to be stopped and for the First Minister to step in.
It follows last week’s intervention from Nicola Sturgeon to remove Isla Bryson, convicted of two rapes under the name of Adam Graham at the High Court in Glasgow last week, from HMP Cornton Vale and into a male wing of HMP Edinburgh.
Concerns were raised around housing Bryson, who transitioned after she was charged with the crimes, amid vulnerable female inmates. The Scottish Government insisted that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) conducts individual risk assessments for each prisoner, but that a review of the overall policy is underway.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said that it was an operational matter for the SPS on where Scott will be housed. It is understood no transfer is imminent in Scott’s case.
Rachael Hamilton, Scottish Tories' equalities spokesperson, said Scott has also attacked female staff while in a men’s prison.
She said: “The fact that such a violent and dangerous criminal is set to be transferred to a women’s prison is absolutely appalling.
“It is clear that Tiffany Scott continues to present a grave risk to the safety of any women that come in contact with them – even trained prison staff.”
She continued: “Nicola Sturgeon has repeatedly tried to reassure the Scottish public that the Scottish Prison Service’s risk assessment would protect women from predatory men, yet the process is clearly not fit for purpose if this dangerous offender has been approved for transfer to a women’s jail.
“Women’s safety must not take a backseat to the wishes of violent criminals.”
Hamilton added that as Sturgeon U-turned on Bryson last week she must “now intervene to block the transfer of this violent individual before it takes place”.
An SPS spokesman said: “We do not comment on individuals.
“Decisions by the SPS as to the most appropriate location to accommodate transgender people are made on an individualised basis, informed by a multi-disciplinary assessment of both risk and need.
“Such decisions seek to protect both the wellbeing and rights of the individual as well as the welfare and rights of others around them, including staff, in order to achieve an outcome that balances risks and promotes the safety of all.
“Where there are any concerns about any risks posed by an individual, either to themselves or others, we retain the ability to keep them separate from the mainstream population until an agreed management plan is in place.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The placement of prisoners is an operational matter for the Scottish Prison Service who use comprehensive individualised risk assessments to inform decisions, such as the appropriate location of transgender people in custody.
“SPS is reviewing their policy on managing transgender prisoners in partnership with the Scottish Government and that process is nearing completion.”
It comes as For Women Scotland called for the Scottish Government to follow Italy and create a jail specifically for transgender prisoners, The Herald reports.
The Scottish Government rejected the suggestion and said there were “no plans” to emulate the policy.
