Cis woman sent to men’s prison because of her ‘masculine features’

A woman was sent to a men’s prison after authorities mistook her face for a man’s.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) mishandled a prisoner who was assigned female at birth. This was reported by the Independent.

After the error was discovered, the woman was sent to HMP Perth Men’s Prison and kept in solitary confinement overnight. She was transferred to HMP Cornton Vale Women’s Prison the following day.

Police Scotland said it was investigating the incident, adding that she had been taken into custody with “incomplete information about their gender”. A spokesman added: “We are reviewing our custody procedure to ensure this does not happen again.”

A source for The Telegraph, which broke the story, said: “An assumption was made based on someone’s appearance and nothing else. Sex in the penitentiary system has become such a hot topic that management will be humiliated by it. It’s embarrassing for everyone involved.”

Last December, SPS changed his policy prevent trans women with a history of violence from being held in women’s prisons, except in “exceptional circumstances.”

The guidance comes after a backlash over the sentencing of trans woman Isla Bryson, who was jailed for eight years in February 2023 after being found guilty of raping two women while still a man.

The SPS said that as of January 2023, there are only 23 transgender prisoners in Scotland, 19 of whom are transgender women. A spokesman said that while the prison service does not comment on “individuals”, the rights and welfare of all prisoners is a key priority.

“We have procedures in place to keep everyone safe once they’re in, including keeping them separate from the main population where necessary,” they added.