Question reference: S6W-05183
- Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 21 December 2021
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Current status: Answered by Keith Brown on 11 January 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a detailed timeline for the review of the Scottish Prison Service Gender Identity and Gender Reassignment Policy, including the expected timing of internal and external stakeholder consultation, and at what point the review is currently.
Answer
I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:
The review of SPS’ Gender Identity and Gender Reassignment policy is taking place in two main stages. The first stage involves an in depth analysis of evidence that has emerged since the existing SPS policy was introduced. This work is underway and will directly inform the development work for the next stage.
The second stage is a series of discussions with key stakeholders which will involve:
- engagement with prison staff who have experience of working with transgender persons in Scotland’s prisons, commencing December 2021.
- a series of interviews with transgender persons in prison, commencing January 2022.
- a survey of individuals living in custody across establishments in Scotland, commencing February 2022.
- an invitation being extended to identified stakeholders for one to one discussions with SPS between February and May 2022. This will include invitations to organisations representing communities of interest and identity.
In tandem with stakeholder discussions, the current policy will be available on the SPS website to invite comment and feedback from other interested parties. The full analysis of stakeholder feedback and evidence and a refreshed policy position is expected to be concluded in 2022.