Fourteen male-bodied transgender prisoners are held in Scottish women’s prisons under a controversial 2023 policy, sparking legal and safety debates.

Fourteen male-bodied transgender prisoners, including those convicted of murder and sexual offenses, are housed in Scotland’s female prisons under a 2023 policy allowing placement based on risk assessments, sparking legal and public controversy. The Scottish government defends the policy as compliant with human rights law, but critics, including For Women Scotland and opposition politicians, argue it endangers female prisoners, especially those with abuse histories, and contradicts a 2023 Supreme Court ruling affirming biological sex in equality law. The Scottish Human Rights Commission acknowledges potential rights violations but has not sought a formal court declaration. High-profile cases, including a trans woman convicted of raping schoolgirls, have intensified debate over safety, gender policy, and the rule of law, with no resolution expected soon.