Jailers given 23,000-word guide to trans prisoners

THE PRISON Service has produced a 23,000-word guide on how to treat transgender inmates.

It details use of personal pronouns, how to conduct searches and the best way to “create safe spaces”. But under no circumstances can staff conduct a physical examination to establish their sex, it says.

Instead they should rely on documents such as a birth certificate or gender recognition certificate, it says.the 74-page document also states an individual must be permitted to express their gender identity with or without supporting evidence.

Last year there were 163 transgender prisoners, or two per 1,000 inmates.this was up from 139 in 2018.

The guidance, released last month, follows last July’s policy framework which set out the Government’s “commitment to ensuring all transgender individuals are treated fairly, lawfully and decently, with their rights and safety properly respected”.

The latest information tells escort staff to ask the prisoner by which pronoun they wish to be addressed and by what name.

It also advises extra care and sensitivity when undertaking searches, especially if wearing prosthetics.

Preferences as to prisons for women or men should be taken into account, but any decision on transferring to prisons “that do not match their legal gender” must be authorised by a complex case board.

Mike Pimblett, assistant general secretary of the prison staff union PAO, said: “We welcome any policy that protects the diversity of the population in prison as well as our staff.we believe the policy actually gives more protection to our members – we now have some guidance on how to deal with these prisoners.”