Keep violent trans men away from women in prisons

FIANNA Fail TD Willie O’Dea has backed calls for transgender women prisoners with a history of violence against women to be incarcerated in men’s jails.

- DAVID RALEIGH

The Limerick TD said it in his opinion it is "most inappropriate that they should be incarcerated with women".

Ireland should copy policy introduced in Scotland, where safeguards have been introduced to ensure that trans female prisoners who pose a threat to women prisoners are detained in male jails, he said.

He said he would also support a national debate on whether or not a specific prison or detention center should be provided in the future for transgender prisoners.

Deputy O'Dea said supported a call for similar safeguards sought by Women's Space Ireland, a group which campaigns for "single-sex spaces" for women and girls.

The group recently held a silent protest while holding a banner that read "No males in Women's Jails outside the main entrance of Limerick Prison.

Mr O'Dea said: "I would basically agree with that, there should be a separate prison regime for women.

"I know the prison service are saying all sorts of things, that they have special arrangements and this, that and the other," the deputy said.

"Nevertheless, when overcrowding happens, how well do those special arrangements hold up, you have to ask yourself."