Prelims
Transgender and Non-binary Prisoners' Experiences in England and Wales
ISBN: 978-1-80071-045-0, eISBN: 978-1-80071-044-3
Publication date: 28 November 2024
Citation
Suhomlinova, O. and O'Shea, S.C. (2024), "Prelims", Transgender and Non-binary Prisoners' Experiences in England and Wales, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. i-xv. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80071-044-320241011
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2025 Olga Suhomlinova and Saoirse Caitlin O'Shea
Half Title Page
Transgender and Non-binary Prisoners’ Experiences in England and Wales
Endorsement Page
With sensitivity and intelligence, Olga Suhomlinova and Saoirse O'Shea skillfully present first-person accounts provided by transgender and non-binary people, historical and policy analyses, and insightful assessments of conditions of confinement for transgender and non-binary people incarcerated in estates in England and Wales. This book works on multiple levels: it honors diverse voices of the transgender and non-binary people who shared their biographies and experiences of imprisonment through lengthy correspondence with the authors, demystifies prison life as lived by transgender and non-binary people, and interrogates how gender infuses prison regimes and how prison policy and practice encode gender. It recognizes the humanity of transgender and non-binary people who are incarcerated by leading with their candid accounts and putting them in the context of correctional policy and practice. For these reasons, this book should be read by researchers, teachers, politicians and other policymakers, activists and advocates, and others interested in learning important lessons about the nexus between gender diversity and the carceral state in England and Wales – and beyond.
—Valerie Jenness, Distinguished Professor, University of California, Irvine, and President of the American Society of Criminology (2024)
My expectations have been exceeded, this is an outstanding book, rich, complex and engaging … [I]t is beautifully written, and a joy to read … Some of the letters and analysis are some of the best I have read relating to experiences of prison, trans or otherwise … [A] chapter relating to non-binary experiences is of great significance given the lack of literature in this area …
I read a lot of work in this area, and [the] book is outstanding in this field, I suspect that this is going to set the tone for many years to come … I hope this important book gets the reception it deserves, it is going on all of my reading lists for sure.
—Matt Maycock, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Monash University
Project participants’ reactions to the book
A very accessible piece of work … [T]he participants’ words shine out, giving a very clear picture of reality not matching what’s supposed to happen. [As for the chapter on non-binary prisoners] I could not have wished for a better write-up of all the issues. The conclusions … are very well considered …The Recommendations … suggest what should be achievable in the short to medium term, rather than looking to some sort of utopian vision … Very wise.
—Wildgoose (a non-binary prisoner)
‘Wow’, what a read, as the old saying goes, ‘You didn’t miss and hit the wall’. I found it powerful and impactful … Thank you for quoting us word for word. I for one believe it has given, not just myself and the other participants a voice, but a voice to all trans prisoners in the male estate … Reading the stories from the other trans participants was bitter sweet as their experiences nearly mirrored mine and I felt solidarity at not being alone … but I also felt sorrow that they are having to undergo the same treatment. My hope would be for your/our book to be read in every prison and by the powers that be so that positive change can come about sooner rather than later.
—Jess
Thank you for highlighting the plight of transgenders in prison. I found the manuscript very informative and well put together. I believe it will change perspective of those people who have formed a judgement based on what they’ve read in the newspapers and open the eyes of those people oblivious to the goings on in prisons. I actually learnt a bit myself from reading it which is no mean feat considering the length of time I’ve been on the transgender pathway in prison … So once again THANK YOU.
—Jerika
I feel you have done justice to our experiences and the subject matter, you have tackled the issues really well, compassionately, with care and sensitivity. I hope you feel pride … it’s a great piece of work.
—Hotaru
Wow! What can I say about the manuscript you sent me other than Wow. Anyone who reads it will realise how detailed the research is that went into [it]. You haven’t relied on just the responses that we gave but have found similar fact evidence and support for the responses … I’ve already stated to both the Head of Psychology and my Prison Probation Officer that if they really want to truly understand transgender prisoners … they should invest in buying the book … I’ve read a lot of books on being transgender, and while most say more or less the same thing, your [book] goes a lot further in that it tackles the raw realities of everyday life for transgender prisoners. HMPPS should really take a hard look at what your research has revealed and take on board the real message of what’s needed to change things for the better ….
—Poppy
My initial impression is that you’ve managed something magical. I predict that you’ll (& we’ll) be quoted for decades because you have captured more than most – both more broadly & more accurately. Thank you and well done […]
You’ve managed to balance so much:
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You’ve given prisoners a voice whilst protecting victims through a novel system for Anonymity that keeps our personalities
- –
You’ve explained the realities that challenge staff & the establishment with underfunding, etc., without excusing it
- –
You’ve avoided appearing to target certain prisons, people & remained neutral – this shouldn’t anger any group – a difficult balance
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You’ve given a “prison primer” that easily lays out realities like PSIs & Ordering processes that even specialist prison books struggle to lay out - by coming from outside “the system” you’ve not overlooked things (like post delays) that most authors consider too obvious to mention
- –
You’ve not captured a prison - you’ve documented the bizarre diaspora of the estate with all its inexplicable variances
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… and you’ve done all the above, for all prisoners, before targeting into gender identity - this book will help more than just the Ts & LGBs - you’ve set a framework for future study
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You already know you’ve done well with the gender stuff […]
Lastly – just thank you again. If I only helped with this, my time inside is not an entire waste.
—Fayth (a non-binary prisoner)
Title Page
Transgender and Non-binary Prisoners’ Experiences in England and Wales
BY
OLGA SUHOMLINOVA
University of Leicester School of Business, UK
AND
SAOIRSE CAITLIN O'Shea
The Open University Business School, UK
United Kingdom – North America – Japan – India – Malaysia – China
Copyright Page
Emerald Publishing Limited
Emerald Publishing, Floor 5, Northspring, 21-23 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL.
First edition 2025
Copyright © 2025 Olga Suhomlinova and Saoirse Caitlin O'Shea.
Published under exclusive licence by Emerald Publishing Limited.
Reprints and permissions service
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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-1-80071-045-0 (Print)
ISBN: 978-1-80071-044-3 (Online)
ISBN: 978-1-80071-046-7 (Epub)
Contents
List of Figures and Tables | ix |
List of Abbreviations | xi |
About the Authors | xiii |
Acknowledgements | xv |
Chapter 1: Introduction | 1 |
Chapter 2: The Project (‘Transcending the Bars’) | 7 |
Chapter 3: Trans Prisoners in England and Wales: The Past and the Present | 51 |
Chapter 4: Her Stories | 119 |
Chapter 5: A Life in the Day | 159 |
Chapter 6: Violence, Safety, Housing | 181 |
Chapter 7: Conditions of Confinement: Material Aspects | 231 |
Chapter 8: Conditions of Confinement: Interactional Aspects | 301 |
Chapter 9: Non-binary Prisoners | 347 |
Chapter 10: Conclusions | 369 |
Index | 383 |
List of Figures and Tables
Figures | ||
Figure 1. | Advertorial for the project, published in Inside Time. | 11 |
Figure 2. | HMPPS organisational structure, 2019. | 53 |
Figure 3. | HMPPS organisational structure, 2023. | 54 |
Figure 4. | Number of male and female prisoners, per 100,000 population, England and Wales, 1911–2022. | 56 |
Figure 5. | The question on gender and sexual orientation included in a prisoners’ survey at a men’s prison in England, 2019. | 99 |
Figure 6. | Prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, England and Wales, 2000–2023. | 183 |
Figure 7. | Prisoner-on-staff assaults, England and Wales, 2000–2023. | 183 |
Figure 8. | Number of sexual assaults per 1,000 prisoners, by type of assault, England and Wales, 2000–2022. | 192 |
Figure 9. | Number of sexual assaults per 1,000 prisoners, in male and female prisons, England and Wales, 2000–2022. | 193 |
Figure 10. | Prison cell, occupied and drawn by Poppy, circa 2020. | 236 |
Figure 11. | Prison cell occupied and drawn by Rachel, circa 2020. | 236 |
Figure 12. | Prison cell occupied and drawn by Winter Rose, circa 2020. | 240 |
Figure 13. | The prison shower, designed by Dr. Merry Delabost, circa 1873, in prison in Rouen, France. | 241 |
Figure 14. | A communal shower room in an English prison circa 2021, drawn by Jess. | 243 |
Figure 15. | Self-harming prisoners and self-harm incidents, England and Wales, 2004–2023. | 289 |
Figure 16. | Number and distribution of prison staff in public prisons, England and Wales, 2010–2023. | 303 |
Figure 17. | Organogram of a public sector prison (HMP Brixton), England and Wales, 2021. | 304 |
Figure 18. | Shared prison cell, occupied by Fayth, circa 2020. | 360 |
Tables | ||
Table 1. | Researchers’ letters: chronology, themes, and number of questions. | 14 |
Table 2. | The project correspondence record. | 29 |
Table 3. | Volume of correspondence. | 38 |
Table 4. | The COVID-19 regime stages, England and Wales, 2020–2022. | 87 |
Table 5. | A timeline of the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, in the community and prisons, England and Wales, 2020–2022. | 91 |
Table 6. | Transgender prisoner population, by gender, England and Wales, 2016–2023. | 98 |
Table 7. | Transgender and all prisoners, by age, England and Wales, 2016–2023. | 101 |
Table 8. | Transgender and all prisoners, by ethnicity, England and Wales, 2016–2023. | 102 |
Table 9. | Prisons with transgender prisoners, England and Wales, 2016–2023. | 103 |
Table 10. | Transgender women and men in women’s and men’s prisons, England and Wales, 2021–2023. | 103 |
Table 11. | Percentage of prisoners in English and Welsh prisons, surveyed by HM Inspectorate of Prisons from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, who reported having experienced physical assaults by staff and prisoners in their current prison. | 184 |
Table 12. | Assaults on transgender women in men’s prisons, England and Wales, 2017–2021. | 184 |
Table 13. | Direct and overall annual costs, per prisoner and per prison place, in real terms (2022–2023), England and Wales, 1999–2023. | 234 |
Table 14. | Comparison of prisons’ Local Facilities Lists: Clothing | 254 |
Table 15. | Comparison of prisons’ Local Facilities Lists: Personal grooming products | 256 |
Table 16. | Number of incidents of self-harm, per 1,000 prisoners, England and Wales, 2017/2018–2020/2021. | 290 |
Table 17. | Rules for searching transgender prisoners, effective 2016–2022. | 321 |
Table 18. | Rules for searching transgender prisoners, effective from January 2023. | 321 |
List of Abbreviations
ACCT | Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork |
CM | Custodial Manager |
DIY | Do It Yourself |
DTC | Democratic Therapeutic Community |
EAT | Employment Appeal Tribunal |
ECHR | European Convention on Human Rights |
ECtHR | European Court of Human Rights |
EHRC | Equality and Human Rights Commission |
GAS | gender-affirming surgery |
GDPR | General Data Protection Regulation |
GIC | Gender Identity Clinic |
GP | General Practitioner |
GRA | Gender Recognition Act |
GRC | Gender Recognition Certificate |
HMP | Her/His Majesty’s Prison |
HMPS | Her/His Majesty’s Prison Service |
HMPPS | Her/His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service |
HMIP | Her/His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons |
HRT | hormone replacement therapy/treatment |
IEP | Incentives and Earned Privileges |
IPP | Imprisonment for Public Protection |
MOJ/MoJ | Ministry of Justice |
NHS | National Health Service |
NOMIS | National Offender Management Information System (also known as prison-NOMIS and p-NOMIS) |
NOMS | National Offender Management Service |
OHCHR | Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
OASys | Offender Assessment System |
PAS | Prisoners’ Advice Service |
PAVA | pelargonic acid vanillylamide |
PPO | Prison and Probation Ombudsman |
PRT | Prison Reform Trust |
PSI | Prison Service Instruction |
PSO | Prison Service Order |
PF | Policy Framework |
SO | Supervising Officer |
SOTP | Sex Offender Treatment Programme |
SPOC | Single Point of Contact |
VPU | Vulnerable Prisoner Unit |
WEC | Women and Equalities Committee |
WPATH | World Professional Association for Transgender Health |
About the Authors
Olga Suhomlinova (ORCID 0000-0002-9587-2543) is an Associate Professor at the University of Leicester School of Business, UK, and a trans ally. She researches institutions. Contribution to the book: Conceptualisation (equal); Data curation; Formal analysis (lead); Funding acquisition; Investigation (lead); Methodology (lead); Project administration; Resources; Supervision; Visualisation; Writing – original draft (lead); and Writing – review and editing (lead).
Saoirse Caitlin O'Shea (ORCID 0000-0003-2835-556X) is a Senior Lecturer at The Open University Business School, UK, and a non-binary person. They research the lived experiences of transgender and gender non-conforming people. Contribution to the book: Conceptualisation (equal); Formal analysis (supporting); Investigation (supporting); Methodology (supporting); Writing – original draft (supporting); and Writing – review and editing (supporting).
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the following non-author contributors, who participated in the early stages of the research project, on which the book is based:
- –
Tammy Ayres (ORCID 0000-0002-2590-9558): Funding acquisition (supporting); Investigation (supporting [some letter writing]); and Methodology (supporting [design of some questions]).
- –
Georgina Barkham (ORCID not available): Investigation (supporting [some letter transcription and memo-writing]).
- –
Michelle O’Reilly (ORCID 0000-0003-1978-6405): Investigation (supporting [some letter writing]) and methodology (supporting [design of some questions]).
- –
Matthew Tonkin (ORCID 0000-0001-6913-7759): Investigation (supporting [some letter writing]) and methodology (supporting [design of some questions]).
- –
Emily Wertans (ORCID 0000-0002-5662-6518): Investigation (supporting [some letter transcription]).
Funding
The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding for the project ‘Transcending the bars: Transgender and non-binary prisoners’ experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic in England and Wales’, provided in 2020 by the Leicester Institute for Advanced Studies. This project was developed as an ‘add on’ to the main project (on which the book is based), in response to the pandemic. The funding (£5,038.38) paid for the Royal Mail Freepost NAME license and the research assistant’s time to transcribe the received letters and develop themes for thematic analysis, the findings from which were reported in Suhomlinova et al. (2022, 2023).
Suhomlinova, O., Ayres, T. C., Tonkin, M. J., O’Reilly, M., Wertans, E., & O'Shea, S. C. (2022). Locked up while locked down: Prisoners’ experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The British Journal of Criminology, 62, 279–298.
Suhomlinova, O., O’Reilly, M., Ayres, T. C., Wertans, E., Tonkin, M. J., & O'Shea, S. C. (2023). “Gripping onto the last threads of sanity”: Transgender and non-binary prisoners’ mental health challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. International Journal of Mental Health, 52, 218–238.
- Prelims
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Chapter 2: The Project (‘Transcending the Bars’)
- Chapter 3: Trans Prisoners in England and Wales: The Past and the Present
- Chapter 4: Her Stories
- Chapter 5: A Life in the Day
- Chapter 6: Violence, Safety, Housing
- Chapter 7: Conditions of Confinement: Material Aspects
- Chapter 8: Conditions of Confinement: Interactional Aspects
- Chapter 9: Non-binary Prisoners
- Chapter 10: Conclusions
- Index