Tiffany Scott will remain in a men's jail after prison bosses tonight announced an "urgent review" of all transgender cases in Scotland.
The Record first reported how volatile Scott - who stalked a 13-year-old girl while known as Andrew Burns - was set to be transferred to a jail that aligns with her chosen gender.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said it would pause the movement of all transgender inmates until the review was completed.
Scott, 31, has been repeatedly refused the switch over several years but senior management had relented in recent weeks.
It was understood that the transfer was still planned even after Nicola Sturgeon last week announced a U-turn on a decision to house double rapist Isla Bryson at all-women jail Cornton Vale.
Scott, from Kinglassie, Fife, is being held in segregation at HMP Low Moss, near Glasgow.
She has assaulted inmates, security officers and female nurses in various jails. She self-harmed and opened veins with her teeth before squirting blood at prison officers.
Opposition politicians had this weekend demanded her transfer be halted following the uproar regarding the case of Isla Bryson.
Bryson, from Clydebank, was last convicted of raping two women in 2016 and 2019 while she was known as Adam Graham.
She was initially remanded to Cornton Vale women's prison before being moved to a male wing at HMP Edinburgh.
An SPS spokesman said: "We have commenced an urgent review of all transgender cases currently managed in our establishments.
"Our first concern is always, and remains, the health, safety, and wellbeing of all the people in our care, and that of our staff.
"We have very robust risk assessment processes, and a track record of keeping people safe, in often challenging circumstances.
"We have therefore paused the movement of all transgender individuals, until the review has been completed.
"This review will consider any history of violence or sexual offending against women, and associated risk, with a view to determining the most appropriate location for the individual to be accommodated.
"Until the review is completed, any trans individuals, with a history of violence towards women, will only be admitted to the male estate, in segregation, when they first enter our care.
"This arrangement will be progressed in line with our human rights obligations."
Keith Brown, the justice secretary, said: "I understand that the issue of any trans woman being convicted of violent and sexual offences is a highly emotive subject and that the public concern is understandable.
"As the First Minister pointed out last week, we must not allow any suggestion to take root that trans women pose an inherent threat to women.
"Predatory men are the risk to women. However, as with any group in society, a small number of trans women will offend and be sent to prison."
The SNP minister added: "I explained in Parliament last week my trust in the Scottish Prison Service in managing and dealing with offenders and the risks that they can pose. That includes the tiny fraction – around 0.2 per cent of the prison population - of people in prison who are trans.
"As we always acknowledge, it is important arrangements for the management of offenders are kept under review.
"It is important to be clear, however, that SPS policies have in no way been changed or impacted by the recent passing of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill - which, in any event, is not yet in force."
Scottish Conservative MSP Russell Findlay said: "After much dithering and flip-flopping, the SNP government has finally been shamed into doing the right thing.
"Just days ago, the justice secretary tried to pass the buck, saying decisions on trans prisoners were for the Scottish Prison Service.
"But as public anger escalated, Nicola Sturgeon was forced to intervene by ordering the removal of a double rapist from a women's prison.
"It should not have taken a second shocking case for them to ban all transfers. The long overdue SPS policy review must now be completed as a matter of urgency."
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
