We are pleased to confirm a JUDICIAL REVIEW of transgender prison policy will be heard next week. Fair Play For Women is supporting the claim being brought by a female prisoner & has provided written evidence to the court regarding our engagement with MOJ and HMPPS officials /1
The female prisoner (who has been granted anonymity) is bringing an indirect discrimination claim on the grounds of sex. Her legal team will argue that two transgender policies do not adequately consider the detrimental impact on female prisoners and should be quashed /2
The two prison policies to be covered by the Judicial Review are 1) The care and management of transgender prisoners and 2) The special unit for high-risk transgender prisoners located at Downview women's prison /3
Both policies were published in 2019 following the sexual assault of two women by Karen White, a male transgender prisoner, while on remand in a women's prison. Despite some welcome improvements designed to safeguard women they do not go far enough /4
The legal framework exists that would allow the MOJ to exclude all male-born prisoners from women's prisons, irrespective of transgender status. This includes both the separate sex exceptions in the Equality Act 2010 and the Prison Rules 1999. The MOJ chose not to use them /5
This means under current rules it is still possible for male-born prisoners to share communal space with women, including trans prisoners with a history of sexual or physical abuse of women. The MOJ failed to consult properly on the detrimental impact on the female prisoners /6
For this reason, the current policy guidance must be scrapped and redrawn. This time including a comprehensive analysis of all the risks and harms to women and in full and effective consultation with experts, advocates for female prisoners and female prisoners themselves /7
Fair Play For Women will be following the full proceedings & will be providing live updates during the day with a comprehensive summary & commentary each evening, along with broadcast and press interviews
Make sure you follow us on twitter for updates /8
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We're excited about the Judicial Review of transgender prison guidance coming next week. Fair Play For Women has been actively campaigning on this issue for 3 years now. This is a crucial step on that journey. Here's a summary of how we got here. /1
In October 2017 we published our ground-breaking report revealing that up to half of all transgender prisoners are in high security Category A prisons or specialist sex offending units. /2
We publish policy guidance and commentary to help policy makers get up to speed quickly and navigate this sensitive topic efficiently and effectively /2
Thankfully Bowls England will not be rushed into opening up their women’s matches to ‘anyone who identifies as a woman’. They are sensibly taking time to review all the relevant info *including policy advice from us* before the start of the 2021 season /1
The era of Stonewall pressuring organisations into knee-jerk implementation of sex self-ID is now over. They can’t trick them into thinking it’s the only option anymore. /2
In person, and via our website, Dr Williams and Fair Play For Women have become a trusted source of free evidence-based policy guidance for organisations to consult. We need your donations to continue being this counter voice for policy makers /3
The @EnglandRugby trans policy is not going to change despite the @WorldRugby recommendations that existing policies are not fit for purpose. Let's take a look at the @englandrugby policy /1
Up front on the first page all the advocacy and advice groups get a mention. Stonewall, Mermaids, Gendered Intelligence, GIRES and even NHS GIDS. /2
Males who identify as women are referred to as "transgender female players". All they need to show is a doctors note saying they've kept their testosterone low.
Peer reviewed studies show that lowering T for 12 months in adulthood has little impact on muscle size and strength/3
Three representatives from @EnglandRugby attended the @worldRugby transgender workshop in February. Eight months later their response is "We will assess the current evidence alongside safety concerns that have been raised" /1
The British junior male record for cycling 25 miles is currently held by Zach Bridges. A prestigious title once held by Chris Boardman back at the start of his cycling career. /1