The case of Nicolle Earley – now Kobi – has brought further scrutiny on the problem faced by the Scottish Prison Service in housing trans prisoners.
The SPS has been forced to hold the lifer in the admissions hall of HMP Stirling – as there is was no other suitable accommodation after the prisoner identified as a man.
Along with the Scottish Government, the SPS has been beset by crisis due to the housing of trans prisoners.
The case of Isla Bryson attracted worldwide attention after the double rapist decided to identify as a woman after committing their crimes.
Bryson was jailed for eight years for raping two women while living as a man known as Adam Graham.
The rapist hoped to serve the time in HMP Stirling women’s prison and was temporarily housed in a female prison to await sentencing.
But that sparked a furious backlash, causing embarrassment for then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon – who was unable to state whether she believed Bryson was a woman or not.
Bryson was moved to HMP Barlinnie following conviction after initially being housed in HMP Stirling
The Scottish Prison Service then updated its policies on dealing with transgender prisoners so those with a history of violence against women cannot be put in a female-only jail.
Newly convicted trans people are to be placed in an establishment “which aligns with their gender at birth”.