Interesting thread from MurrayBlackburnMackenzie on the response to an freedom of information request to the Scottish prison service asking for details of the equality impact assessment undertaken on their trans prisoner policy. This request was necessary because they do not list the EQIA for this on their website, despite all other EQIAs being listed.
The response to the the FOI showed:
The final policy document was authored by the manager of the Scottish trans alliance
'The Scottish Trans Alliance and Stonewall Scotland were consulted but no women’s groups were consulted.'
Reports from trans activist organisations GIRES and Gendered Intelligence were cited, although they made no reference to prisons
The Yogyakarta Principles were cited
Sex was not identified as one of the protected characteristics for those affected by the policy.
The EQIA focuses almost entirely on how trans prisoners would be affected
Of course we know this can't be true because we have it on good authority that all these policies are thoroughly researched, based on expert opinion, and consider the rights of all parties. It is shocking that the SPS would lie in this way in their response to an FOI. /s
That policy document attached to the response to the FOI request looks like it was put together by a work experience student. Typos and grammar errors everywhere and sentences like this:
“Transgender people potential could come to prison and the SPS policy or guidance to support
or manage a transgender person if they come into prison.”
If this is SOP for the SPS and FOI staff Scotland is truely ******.
