I have just read about this very distressing case in the Swedish news. Kristoffer Johansson killed and dismembered his ex-girlfriend, Vatchareeya Bangsua, aged 20. He then pretended that he was concerned and joined in the search for her. He was convicted for murder and sentenced to 14 years, later reduced to 10 years and manslaughter. It was revealed at sentencing stage that he had also killed and dismembered his dog. He is in a category 1 security jail in Sweden, the highest security possible. He has been described as 'very violent'.
Kristoffer now identifies as a woman called 'Kim Marie' and has apparently 'known he was a woman' since age 5. He has applied for and been granted permission to be transferred to one of two female prisons. He will be transferred shortly. There are no category 1 prisons for women in Sweden, only category 2. So Johansson will not only switch to a female jail, but also be downgraded to a lower security one.
In the whole of Sweden, there are only around 250 women in jail. Only 5 of these are serving life sentences. The women's prisons are a community where they engage in gardening and have a common-room. They resemble youth hostels more than jails. Women are even allowed to have their own metal cutlery in their rooms. They sew their own clothes to wear rather than wear prison uniform. Often, there are young children living in the prison with their mothers, although usually only for up to a year. The guards explain that the majority of female prisoners have been victims of some sort- of male violence, child abuse, sexual assault etc. Prison is no walk in the park, but it's a place where they can be rehabilitated. Criminologists have spoken about the fact that male and female prisons are worlds apart. For instance, male prisoners would never be allowed to keep cutlery in their rooms due to the risk of violence.
The thought of Johansson entering this female space is quite frankly sickening. He has violently murdered and dismembered those weaker than him, shows little remorse, is a huge risk, and is physically intimidating. Yet his request has been approved. The report from the prison authorities talked endlessly about his feelings and his desires, yet did not mention a single word about the feelings and safety of female prisoners. A Swedish journalist called Kajsa Ekman has written about the case, but has predictably been labelled as transphobic.
This is so frightening and heartbreaking for the female prisoners. I bet they are terrified. It's not been reported in the English press I think, but I came across it on Twitter.