Scottish prisons to consult on changes to transgender policy

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) will launch a consultation on updating its policy for transgender people, following Scottish Ministers’ move to make it easier for trans prisoners to prove their gender identity.

The SPS plans to alter its ‘Gender Identity and Gender Reassignment Policy’ for people in custody, a move welcomed by campaigners.

The policy refresh aims to address proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act 2004. The current Act states that people in the UK have to be over 18 and apply to a panel if they want to change gender.

Scottish Government ministers want to simplify the process, which has been described as «intrusive and onerous».