If ever there was a group who are unable to walk away from an unpleasant or dangerous situation, and who have no say in the reality of gender ideology being foisted upon them, it is women prisoners. Shockingly, full-bodied men are being held in women's prisons, resulting predictably in assaults upon women prisoners.

Judicial Review R (FDJ) v Secretary of State for Justice

In October 2020, we worked with the group 'Keep Prisons Single Sex' on a campaign in response to the Judicial Review brought by a female prisoner who reported that she was sexually assaulted by a male prisoner who had been convicted of rape, and who had been imprisoned with her in the female estate.  This brave woman sought to challenge the lawfulness of placing male-bodied transgender prisoners convicted of sexual and violent offences against women in the female estate.  She also sought to challenge the Government policy on the Unit for male transgender prisoners located within the female prison estate at HMP Downview citing evidence that female prisoners were still put in a position of risk.  The case was due to be heard in the High Court on 28th and 29th October 2020.  However, it was adjourned after documents were produced by the Government the morning of the first day concerning the legal advice and reasoning that informed the policy on housing transgender prisoners.  The defence claimed that some of this content is subject to legal privilege, meaning that it could not be heard in these court proceedings.  In light of this, the case was adjourned and is not expected to be heard until 2021.

What did we do?

We wrote to Ministers, MPs and Peers notifying them of the Judicial Review, highlighting the vulnerabilities women in prison face, and asking them to support our call that prison policy and practice should reflect the single-sex exceptions in the Equality Act.  We worked with peers and MPs, provided them the background information and supported them asking questions in both Houses.

We will be monitoring the situation and working with our friends at 'Keep Prisons Single Sex', to shine light on this shameful case and support women in prisons who have a limited public voice and no choice at all in how they're housed.

How you can help

You can help by writing to your MP (of any party) to insist that prisons policy is brought in line with the Equality Act to ensure women in prison are kept safe within their single-sex spaces.  Our template letter is here, but we recommend you use it for inspiration, rather than copying it wholesale, and always add your own personalisation.  You can find your MP's contact details here.