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Written question asked by Baroness Maclean of Redditch (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 August 2026. It was answered by Lord Lemos (Labour) on Monday, 27 July 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.


Women's Prisons

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to set out a policy on the suitability of accommodating biological males in the women’s prison estate.

Answer

The policy inherited by this Government is that no transgender woman charged with or convicted of a sexual or violent offence, or who retains birth genitalia, can be held in the general women’s estate, other than in exceptional circumstances and where granted an exemption by a minister. No such exemptions have been granted under this Government.

We are currently reviewing transgender prisoner allocation policy in light of the recently updated EHRC Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations, and will be able to say more on this shortly.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2715
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Prisoners Women's prisons Transgender people
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk