Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what provision exists for biologically male sexual offenders housed in the female estate (a) with and (b) without a Gender Recognition Certificate to access Sex Offender Treatment Programmes.

Accredited sexual offender (SO) programmes are not currently available in the women’s estate. However, bespoke interventions are provided where required to ensure that we properly manage the risk posed by all offenders.

In the male estate, the accredited SO programmes are open to individuals who are legally male but identify as female.

A strategic review of all HMPPS designed accredited programmes is underway and will include consideration of the interventions available for transgender individuals.