Concerns arise over the placement of Paris Green, a convicted murderer, in a women’s prison following an incident involving a female officer, prompting campaigners to demand a reassessment of SPS policies.
Campaigners are calling for the removal of Paris Green, a convicted trans killer, from the women’s prison estate following an incident involving a female officer, which has raised concerns about the Scottish Prison Service’s (SPS) adherence to its own policies. Green, previously known as Peter Laing, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2013 for the murder of Robert Shankland and has since been housed at HMP Polmont in Falkirk.
In August 2023, Green pleaded guilty to culpable and reckless conduct after pushing a door forcibly against a female prison officer at HMP Edinburgh. This conviction has prompted critics to argue that the SPS is failing to uphold its stated guidelines, which assert that transgender individuals assessed to pose a risk to women should be placed in male facilities. Campaign group Keep Prisons Single Sex has been vocal about their concerns, arguing that the SPS’s current practices violate its own policies.
Dr Kate Coleman, a spokesperson for the group, expressed her dismay, stating, “The SPS policy states that any trans woman who has been convicted of Violence Against Women or Girls is not eligible for allocation to the female estate.” She further emphasised that following Green’s recent legal troubles, it is “extraordinary” that Green remains in a women’s prison, calling it an “outrage.”
A spokesperson for For Women Scotland echoed these sentiments, describing Green’s continued presence in the women’s prison population as a “damning indictment” of the SPS. They claimed that the situation reveals a lack of genuine measures to protect vulnerable women from potentially dangerous individuals. According to the spokesperson, with Green’s history and recent actions, “Green caused harm to a female officer and is a danger to all the women in Polmont – whether they are guards or inmates.”
In light of these developments, legal action may be considered against the SPS for potentially breaching UK law, particularly regarding the Equality Act. The spokesperson noted, “Ironically, the SPS may find themselves in the dock if they continue to flout the Equality Act and recklessly put women in danger.”
The SPS policy regarding the placement of transgender individuals in custody was implemented in February 2022, stipulating that placement in facilities matching an individual’s affirmed gender is contingent upon an assessment that ensures safety for all inmates. The policy explicitly prohibits the placement of transgender women with a history of violence against women and girls in the female estate.
Green’s violent past includes the torture and sexual assault of Robert Shankland in March 2013, where he and two accomplices lured Shankland to a party before subjecting him to hours of abuse. Initially, Green was placed in the women’s prison at Cornton Vale following claims of being transgender but was subsequently moved to HMP Edinburgh after allegations of inappropriate conduct with other inmates arose.
In response to the growing controversy surrounding the handling of trans prisoners, a spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service stated, “Our policy on transgender people in custody supports the health, safety, and wellbeing of all people living and working in Scotland’s prisons, by taking an individualised approach to the admission, placement, and management of transgender people.” The spokesperson highlighted that decisions regarding the management of transgender individuals are informed by a comprehensive assessment of risks to and from the individual.
The issues surrounding the placement of transgender prisoners gained national attention earlier in 2023 when a double rapist, who had changed his name to Isla Bryson, was initially considered for female detention. The public outcry led to a review of SPS policy, highlighting ongoing debates regarding the safety and rights of different inmate populations.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/24/scottish-trans-killer-charged-attacking-female-prison-guard/ – This article discusses the incident where Paris Green, a transgender individual, assaulted a female prison guard at HMP Edinburgh, raising questions about the Scottish Prison Service’s policy on transgender inmates. It highlights concerns over Green’s placement in the women’s wing despite their violent past.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/04/17/scotland-paris-green-murderer-trans-prisoner-surgery-nhs/ – This article provides background information on Paris Green, including their request for gender reassignment surgery while serving a life sentence for murder. It also touches on Green’s placement in a women’s prison unit and the controversy surrounding it.
- https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/22/2024-07496/guidance-for-federal-financial-assistance – Although unrelated to Paris Green’s case, this URL provides information on legal and policy guidelines, which might serve as a broader context for understanding the policy frameworks that influence decisions like those made by the Scottish Prison Service.
- https://www.magzter.com/stories/newspaper/Sunday-Mail/FEMALE-GUARD-HURT-IN-TRANS-KILLERS-PRISON-DOOR-RAMMY – This URL corroborates details of the incident where Paris Green was involved in a confrontation with a female prison officer, highlighting concerns about safety within the prison system.
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents – This link provides information on the Equality Act 2010 in the UK, which is relevant to discussions about legal action against the SPS for potentially breaching UK laws concerning equality and safety.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative discusses events from August 2023 and includes reference to a policy change in February 2022, indicating the information is relatively recent and relevant.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quotes attributed to Dr Kate Coleman and the spokesperson for For Women Scotland appear original but would require further verification for earliest use as they could be part of ongoing narratives.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Record, which is a known publication, but not as highly regarded as outlets like BBC or Reuters, warranting some caution.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the Scottish Prison Service and the debate surrounding the placement of transgender prisoners are plausible and reflect ongoing societal discussions; recent legal actions are also cited.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents timely concerns about a trans killer’s placement in a women’s prison, aligning with ongoing public debates. While the source is somewhat reliable, further verification of quotes and context may enhance understanding. Overall, it remains a relevant issue likely to attract continued attention.
