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Original poster

Another victory! For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers in prisons case

240 replies

TheNoWord · 19/06/2026 12:04

It’s just been on the news in Scotland. More to follow….

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BridgetPhillipsonIsACowardlyJobsworth · 15/08/2026 19:48

Redintoothandclaw · 15/08/2026 17:05

I thought Nick Wallis was considering writing a book about either For Women Scotland or Graham Linehan. His book on the post office scandal was made into a very good TV series. So fingers crossed.

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There will be a follow-up book on the PO scandal soon, according to Nick's Gender Blog.

BridgetPhillipsonIsACowardlyJobsworth · 15/08/2026 19:47

helderste · 15/08/2026 16:21

This is great news but I do wonder how long ScotsGov are going to keep up their anti-women campaign? It disgusts me that they think it’s alright to force women to pay lawyers to stop their own government from stripping them of their legal rights. I agree, the film will be made in about ten years, along with all the literature and art expressing the rage and fury of women who’ve been watching all the injustices and damage done in the name of this horribly misogynist gender cult.

My guess will be as long as they can continue to use taxpayers' money to fight lawsuits without being sued for that as well.

So, not long?

I cannot get over how firmly- entrenched "women are second-class citizens" is in Scotland (at least, in Government). This is surely NOT how most Scots view women? Not my experience at all.

But, yes, this is good news, thanks OP.

Redintoothandclaw · 15/08/2026 17:05

hholiday · 14/08/2026 13:22

if the cultural elite had their heads screwed on, there’d be a film about these women in the works. Ordinary British women who took on the establishment and won a victory for all women, particularly the most vulnerable. It’d be really successful too, as all those kind of films have been down the years. But the elite are too busy bowing and scraping to men with issues to bother.

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I thought Nick Wallis was considering writing a book about either For Women Scotland or Graham Linehan. His book on the post office scandal was made into a very good TV series. So fingers crossed.

helderste · 15/08/2026 16:21

This is great news but I do wonder how long ScotsGov are going to keep up their anti-women campaign? It disgusts me that they think it’s alright to force women to pay lawyers to stop their own government from stripping them of their legal rights. I agree, the film will be made in about ten years, along with all the literature and art expressing the rage and fury of women who’ve been watching all the injustices and damage done in the name of this horribly misogynist gender cult.

Ereshkigalangcleg · 14/08/2026 23:13

Bump

Ereshkigalangcleg · 14/08/2026 13:25

It will happen some day.

hholiday · 14/08/2026 13:22

BiologicalRobot · 14/08/2026 13:08

Thank you for the share token. Those women are amazing 😍

For Women Scotland has won a legal guarantee that rules that allowed trans inmates into women’s jails cannot be revived

if the cultural elite had their heads screwed on, there’d be a film about these women in the works. Ordinary British women who took on the establishment and won a victory for all women, particularly the most vulnerable. It’d be really successful too, as all those kind of films have been down the years. But the elite are too busy bowing and scraping to men with issues to bother.

BiologicalRobot · 14/08/2026 13:08

Thank you for the share token. Those women are amazing 😍

For Women Scotland has won a legal guarantee that rules that allowed trans inmates into women’s jails cannot be revived

SwirlyGates · 14/08/2026 10:42

Is it finally time for the Scottish Government to stop using our tax money to fight us on women's rights?

ArabellaScott · 14/08/2026 10:41

Wishesandhorses · 25/06/2026 15:53

The judgment appeared to be that in this case, where a prisoner was sufficiently in danger of harming themselves, that a third space would be a potential solution as the issues described throughout prevent the answer being to move the prisoner to the women's estate.

Specialist units would seem really to be the best idea, where provision can be matched to the needs of the specific group and safety can be hopefully much better managed.

I would think however there's a risk of discrimination towards other prisoners in the male estate in not having similar and safer protective units and provisions when in need. Mental health and severe risk of self harm and injury is a major problem in all male prisons and there are other highly vulnerable groups of prisoners; this should be addressed for all of them properly.

Is sticking a vulnerable man in with women cheaper than properly supporting him in the male estate?

In Scotland there is a wing for vulnerable males at Saughton. Sex offenders and paedophiles, mostly, is my understanding. At risk from other prisoners, but certainly not necessarily harmless themselves.

rebax · 14/08/2026 10:26

Wonderful quote from their KC attacking the Scottish Government guidance:

“It’s almost — if I can use Orwellian terms for it — Animal Farm-like. Women good. But men identifying as women better. Or all women are equal, but men identifying as women are more equal than others.”

SidewaysOtter · 14/08/2026 10:21

Bloody well done - AGAIN - to FWS!

Wishesandhorses · 25/06/2026 15:53

The judgment appeared to be that in this case, where a prisoner was sufficiently in danger of harming themselves, that a third space would be a potential solution as the issues described throughout prevent the answer being to move the prisoner to the women's estate.

Specialist units would seem really to be the best idea, where provision can be matched to the needs of the specific group and safety can be hopefully much better managed.

I would think however there's a risk of discrimination towards other prisoners in the male estate in not having similar and safer protective units and provisions when in need. Mental health and severe risk of self harm and injury is a major problem in all male prisons and there are other highly vulnerable groups of prisoners; this should be addressed for all of them properly.

Rednorth · 25/06/2026 15:08

SwirlyGates · 19/06/2026 12:18

I haven't read it all, but here are a few quotes:

Insofar as the Prisons Guidance allows SPS to accommodate trans prisoners in
prisons for the opposite biological sex, it is in conflict with the requirement that prison accommodation be provided separately for men and women. That constitutes a mis-statement of the law.

There is no positive obligation, in general terms, based on Article 2 or Article 3, to accommodate a trans prisoner in a prison for the opposite biological sex.

It is possible that, in an exceptional individual case, in a situation where there is a threat to life through suicide, it may be necessary to consider an argument that accommodation in a prison for the opposite biological sex is necessary and that rule 126 should be disapplied. Whether that could be achieved compatibly with the requirements of the EA 2010 cannot be determined in the abstract.

(Does that mean that if the TiM threatens suicide they may get placed in the women's prison?)

In all the circumstances, the Prisons Guidance is unlawful and the petitioner is
entitled to orders for declarator and reduction.

Yay.

My attitude, if they're threatening suicide, then they should be sent to a secure mental facility, not just sent to an opposite sex prison.

GailBlancheViola · 25/06/2026 14:55

RhannionKPSS · 25/06/2026 14:43

Question asked about the judgement at FMQ earlier on , FM said the judgement has be enacted, the SPS have withdrawn their “ letter” do it looks like the men are out and have been since Tuesday as was thought

Excellent news.

It should never have happened in the first place though and that is what is so utterly disgraceful in all this.

RhannionKPSS · 25/06/2026 14:43

Question asked about the judgement at FMQ earlier on , FM said the judgement has be enacted, the SPS have withdrawn their “ letter” do it looks like the men are out and have been since Tuesday as was thought

EmpressaurusKitty · 24/06/2026 02:05

Alucard55 · 23/06/2026 22:48

Also very curious as to how the TRA's will react to this.

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Trans Reddit are furious. Although obviously not furious on behalf of women prisoners who have been locked up with violent men.

Alucard55 · 23/06/2026 22:48

TheywontletmehavethenameIwant · 23/06/2026 19:43

Does anyone know how the Scottish Green's are reacting to this. I imagine Maggie Chapperson's face is more miserable then ever. 😂

Also very curious as to how the TRA's will react to this.

TheywontletmehavethenameIwant · 23/06/2026 19:43

Does anyone know how the Scottish Green's are reacting to this. I imagine Maggie Chapperson's face is more miserable then ever. 😂

EasternStandard · 23/06/2026 14:16

Amazing!

SternJoyousBeev2 · 23/06/2026 13:45

I have been eagerly awaiting this judgement and I'm thrilled that FWS have won (again). I tuned in live and was entertained and infuriated in equal measure. Aidan O'Neill appeared to have no more fucks to give as he tore apart the piss poor arguments of the opposing team so I am very happy that he prevailed despite his challenging approach.

Igmum · 22/06/2026 18:39

Wishesandhorses · 19/06/2026 13:19

The 'suicide' bit is an irritating bit of fog -

I wish they didn't keep focusing solely on the 'rights' of men with gender identities. It's not the whole truth. When it comes back that 'there's no Article 8 right' (without limits) etc with nothing further, it suggests that ok, the right is needed and that's the next step.

When the reality actually is that women have Article 8 rights too and the sex segregation of prisons is necessary for the massive majority of prisoners who aren't men with gender beliefs.

The only way to maintain equal article 8 rights is to provide additional units for these men; to meet their wishes and needs without depriving women of privacy, dignity, safety and legal protections.

We are I think going to see an attempt made to remove women and gay rights from the Equality Act. I suppose at least Reform want to remove everybodys rights and protections equally.

Agree but tbf I believe they explicitly acknowledged that (even with a suicidal TiM), they shouldn’t house him in the women’s estate because women prisoners have their own needs and vulnerabilities. I was very pleased to see that. Looks like judges are finally and belatedly realising that women are human too.