Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 52148 on HMP/YOI Downview: Transgender People, what procedures are used to assess the risk posed by transgender prisoners housed on E Wing of HMP Downview before allowing them access to the general women’s estate.

Prior to any placement, a risk assessment would be carried out by a multidisciplinary panel chaired by a specially trained senior prison manager, with senior staff from the HMPPS Womens Group including a psychologist. Assessments take account of all known risks posed by an individual, based on a comprehensive range of factors, together with the potential impact on other prisoners.

This Government inherited the policy regarding allocation of transgender prisoners from the previous Government. No transgender women have been moved into the general women’s estate, including at HMP Downview, since 4 July 2024. We are reviewing the policy in light of the Supreme Court ruling and will set out any changes to our approach in due course.