Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has addressed growing public concern regarding the prison placement of Isla Bryson, who was convicted of raping two women earlier this week. The case has sparked significant debate about where Bryson will be held during her sentence.
During First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood, Sturgeon confirmed that the Scottish Prison Service is currently conducting a risk assessment to determine the most appropriate location for Bryson’s incarceration. Importantly, she ruled out Cornton Vale, Scotland’s women’s prison near Stirling, as a possible placement.
“It would not be appropriate for me to give details of where any prisoner is incarcerated,” Sturgeon said. “However, given the understandable public and parliamentary concern in this case, I can confirm to parliament that this prisoner will not be incarcerated at Cornton Vale women’s prison.”
Isla Bryson, formerly known as Adam Graham, was found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow of raping one woman in Clydebank in 2016 and another in Drumchapel in 2019. Prosecutors stated that Bryson preyed on vulnerable women, meeting both victims online.
Despite denying the charges and asserting she would “never hurt another human being,” a jury found Bryson guilty on both counts of rape. Bryson is currently being held at Cornton Vale pending sentencing, which is scheduled for next month.
During the trial, Bryson disclosed that she has identified as transgender since the age of four, although she only began transitioning at 29. She is currently undergoing hormone therapy and is considering surgery as part of her gender reassignment process.
The case has intensified discussions about the management of transgender inmates and prison safety, placing officials under pressure to carefully consider Bryson’s incarceration arrangements.
Originally published by UKNIP.
