News / Crime
Transgender woman sent to Bristol mens Prison
Thousands of people have signed a petition calling on the governor of the all-male Bristol Prison to transfer a transgender inmate to a female jail.
Tara Hudson, 26, who was recently convicted of assault, was born male but has undergone six years of gender reassignment treatment.
She was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison by magistrates for an assault which took place on Boxing Day last year. She will serve her time at Bristol Prison as her passport states she is a man, it has been reported.
Hudson’s mother Jackie Brooklyn, from Bath, has written personally to the governor, and a petition supporting her has been signed by more than 3,500 people.
The petition claims Hudson is at risk of sexual violence in the prison which was this week deemed “unsafe, if not dangerous” by the Independent Monitoring Board.
“In an era of unprecedented victories for LGBT rights, people like Tara Hudson are still paying a high price at the hands of an outdated and outmoded judicial system, simply for being who they are,” the petition reads.
“We call upon Bath magistrates and the British judicial system as a whole to immediately address the dangers Ms Hudson is facing and amend her sentence that she may spend it in an all-women’s prison instead.”
Ms Brooklyn told The Mirror she was worried for Hudson’s safety and mental health. “While I understand it is a complex issue, the treatment of transgender individuals by the British judicial system is one that clearly requires greater attention and thought.
“The primary focus should be the safety and well-being of those involved.”
is needed now More than ever
Bristol Prison is a 614-capacity category B men’s prison with approximately 50 per cent on remand and 80 per cent staying less than a year.
The petition can be signed here.
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