Transgender will be on the agenda in 2016.
During 2015 transgender has been a subject that has had a lot of media attention but not for the right reasons. In the summer prominent feminists argued over whether they could represent the interests of trans-populations. Legal arguments have also been the centre of debates because the legal status of trans populations has caused considerable problems for people who are sent to custody. Prisons are gender specific and this has meant that not only have individuals complained of being sent to the wrong prison, but also this has been cited as the reason two people have taken their own lives.
After pressure from the media, politicians and campaigners, the government has agreed to review and develop guidelines which will cover the future shape of prison and probation services for transgender prisoners and offenders in the community. Transgender will be on the agenda in 2016. The review will include senior officials and advisers from the voluntary sector. Peter Dawson is the deputy director of the prison reform trust and Dr Jay Steward is a director from an organisation called gendered intelligence. The precise scope of the review is not known. There are four main issues that the petition called #PrisonTRANSform petition would like to be considered. These are:
- What will be the method of demonstrating gender to the criminal justice system?
- Issues relating to up-to-date trans awareness training for all involved with the United Kingdom’s judiciary and prison systems.
- Up-dating the care and management of transsexual prisoners and guidelines
- An in-depth review that takes into account that trans-people need to be housed with the correct facilities.
In common with many issues relating to imprisoned populations the issues involved are complex and a one-size fits all solution will not be appropriate. While there are many organisations who represent or work with trans-populations it is not known whether the voices of these communities will be heard. A particular issue that will concern many academic and others involved with the criminal justice system is that having a review and up-dated guidelines could justify imprisonment rather than investigating the issue by looking at wider societal issues. There are many intersecting problems that have been acknowledged by various organisations. For example: the The national lgb&t partnership provide resources about alcohol and mental health.
The focus for research for women in prison will be to follow developments and to monitor the outcomes of this review. Please go to this web-site to sign up and receive regular up-dates.
