Men in women's prisons - Scotland

[lifeinthelastlane]

I didn't realise here were still men being housed in women's prisons in Scotland. Three murderers. Clip from Scottish parliament of Douglas Ross questioning first minster John Swinney, who won't say if they are male or female.
https://x.com/douglas4moray/status/2011790145192591422?s=46

I have the same problem. Hoping for an independent candidate.

In the Scottish Government submission for the court case, don't they say that there have been no problems arising from trans women in women's prison in the last few years? I don't have that submission to hand now, but if my memory is correct that is obviously a lie.

I’m in exactly the same position. I won’t vote reform but wondering whether I should hold my nose and vote Conservative. Wouldn’t have entertained saying this a few years ago.

I’ve considered the holding my nose thing and voting Conservative too (never thought that day would dawn!) but I’ll only do it if I think there’s the slightest chance Reform could get in.

Where Reform IS in....the Reform controlled local authorities? This was their big chance to show what they could do, is anyone noticing improvement or something different? I haven't yet heard anything to that effect.

I don't believe in not voting but hate so much voting not on the principle of supported policy, but on trying to avert the least bloody awful options of a rotten field.

'Everyone' moans about their local council, though. Whether it be run by Labour, Reform, Tories, whoever. Often with plenty of justification. I think a Reform govt would be a very bad thing for the country, but I wouldn't draw too many conclusions from looking at a few idiot councils.

ALL parties in opposition make statements about intent that are beyond their power in government - whether local or national. Sometimes because it involves legislation they have no power over, but mostly because of budgets or events. I wouldn’t expect Reform councillors to have a very significant impact on local authorities, and any impact they do have (eg capital spend) will take a few years to become apparent. Most of the few things Reform are relatively agreed on as a party would require legislative change at Westminster.

I've just read this article. Just when you think the behaviour of the SG couldn't get any more despicable, they have to show that it can.

It's like they are in a pissing competition with the Labour Party. "Think we couldn't get any more despicable? Hold my beer!"

Of course, the SG are miles ahead.

I emailed my local MSP, Rona Mackay (SNP of course), asking questions about FWS' outstanding £600k costs, and the Declaration of Incompatibility.
I got a prompt but waffly reply from an assistant, hoping that their reply had cleared things up.
Yes it had, but not in the sense that the writer meant it! It was a standard 'no comment on anything' reply.

I think that would be my choice.
i will continue to spoil my ballot unless the Labour Party acknowledge that sex matters and even if the party does my own sitting Labour MP would also have to accept reality but pigs are likely to fly first.

Me too, SNP or Lib Dem are the most likely winners for first past the post in my area. The Lib Dem is a popular and active local councillor, but I do not know their stance on SSS - if they toe the party line then that option is no go.

Generations of socialist ancestors would be spinning in their graves at the thought of me voting Tory, but for the regional list I am sorely tempted to do that to avoid giving SNP or Greens another unaccountable list MSP.

Related to OP, so thought might be of interest to those on this thread.

A former trainee prison custody officer has claimed he was unfairly sacked for objecting to calling transgender prisoners by their chosen pronoun
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyn2yxzrdro

Not sure if this was his employer a security firm really believes this or wants to go on getting contracts from Scottish Prison Service.

Good for him! Fingers crossed he wins his case

Thread of his tribunal here for anyone interested:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5384528-custody-officer-job-withdrawn-for-gc-beliefs-gribbon-sp-legal-team-is-his-solicitor

Thanks - I somehow thought it a new story so didn't searrch..

Glad it is being followed on FWR.

Another person who has lost their job and a year out of their life.

Why does the Scottish Prison Service hold men convicted of murder in the female prison estate? A policy timeline
https://murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2026/01/26/why-does-the-scottish-prison-service-hold-men-convicted-of-murder-in-the-female-prison-estate-a-policy-timeline/

A reminder that if it hadn't been for the public outcry over the Isla Bryson photo, the transfer of Andrew Burns/Tiffany Scott, a man described as 'one of the most menacing people' in the Scottish prison estate, to the female prison estate would have continued unabated.

Bad publicity. It's the only consequence these appalling people actually care about.

Anas Sarwar says that prisons would become single sex within days if Labour are elected... He's obviously realised that women can vote too! (Although I hate the headline; trans prisoners won't be banned from women's prisons, men will be!)
www.thenational.scot/news/25815597.sarwar-ban-trans-prisoners-womens-jails-first-minister/

A reminder that he whipped his MSPs to vote for the GRR Bill. And Labour is currently refusing to lay the EHRC guidelines before Parliament.

YY, but it’s interesting that he thinks it’s a vote winner in Scotland at the current time.

I don’t believe a word he or Labour say about this issue. As PP stated he & Baillie whipped the Labour MSPs to vote for the appalling GRC reform bill…despite Baillie telling women “ we won’t vote for it if the amendments don’t pass…” She said that to a group of us who were there, as did Foysal…all lies