Transgender double rapist Isla Bryson has claimed to be the victim of a hate crime, alleging that staff at HMP Edinburgh are prohibiting the use of make-up. The convicted sex offender also received an apology after raising concerns about being "misgendered" and referred to as "son" by a female staff member.
Bryson, who became one of Scotland's most notorious inmates following a heated debate sparked by the initial placement in Cornton Vale, a women's prison, has been linked to the controversy surrounding Nicola Sturgeon's resignation last year. The former first minister stepped down amidst confusion over her stance on whether Bryson should be recognized as a man or a woman.
In a handwritten letter to the Sunday Mail, 32 year old Bryson from Clydebank expressed frustration with the treatment received in prison, stating: "I'm just dealing with transphobia from staff."
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The letter included claims that Bryson was informed by a staff member that MSPs had instructed prison governors to treat transgender women entering the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) as men, branding it "It's disgusting and a hate crime."
Additionally, Bryson lamented the lack of access to female toiletries and make-up while simultaneously highlighting physical changes such as breast development and a more feminine voice, writing: "They refuse to put any female toiletries or make-up out.", reports the Daily Record.
"I am on blockers just now. I have boobs. I don't sound like a man anymore."
An apology was issued to Bryson by Natalie Beal, the governor of HMP Glenochil, last month.
In her letter, she clarifies that after an incident where a staff member referred to Bryson as "son", the SPS officer promptly "apologised after realising their mistake".
The governor further explained that another unclear incident involving a metal detector was due to a prison officer's oversight who "may not have realised" at the time that Bryson was a trans prisoner.
Beal stated: "We do apologise if you felt disrespected but we do not believe that would have been the intention of the officer concerned."
The letter reveals that during the investigation, Bryson was unable to provide the date, time or name of officers involved in either incident. Neither incident had any witnesses.
Bryson's complaints surfaced just weeks after the Scottish Government's contentious new Hate Crime law was implemented.
Under this law, anyone who believes a crime has been committed can lodge a complaint anonymously through an online portal without having to directly interact with the police.
Earlier this month, it was reported that calls for prison authorities to stop penalising female prisoners for misgendering trans inmates, following JK Rowling's acquittal from hate crime charges.
The author had made social media posts listing trans women, including rapist Bryson, asserting they were men.
The campaign group Keep Prisons Single Sex has penned a letter to SPS chief Teresa Medhurst, urging that women in prison who prefer traditional pronouns such as 'woman' or 'man' "will not be referred to Police Scotland nor will they be subject to disciplinary procedures or sanction".
SPS has previously declared its dedication to fostering an environment where equality of opportunity and diversity thrive.
It's understood by the Sunday Mail that SPS typically offers a range of clothing options for inmates, including unisex attire, to accommodate individual needs
Bryson, who was found guilty in January last year at the High Court in Glasgow of raping two women, one in Clydebank in 2016 and another in Drumchapel in 2019, was initially known as Graham.
The ex-DJ, who had initially appeared in court under a male name, began identifying as a woman while on bail and attended his trial as Isla Bryson.
In February, Bryson received an eight-year sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh, with an additional three years on licence.
Following intense political scrutiny, the convicted rapist was transferred from Cornton Vale to HMP Edinburgh.
In a recent letter, Bryson also confessed to having a five-month relationship with a fellow inmate serving a six-year sentence for child sex abuse and drug crimes, as well as a brief three-week fling with another prisoner named Colin.
The double rapist further stated: "I want to make this clear, I don't like women, I'm only into men."
Bryson, an inmate at HMP Edinburgh, was in the headlines back in July after objecting to having to wear men's clothes in prison and being mockingly nicknamed Mrs Doubtfire by her fellow inmates.
Former governor of Cornton Vale, Rhona Hotchkiss chimed in on the matter, stating: "Misgendering is not a hate crime and that has become clear since the silly hate crime law came into force."
"People have been doing it left, right and centre and have not been prosecuted."
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She also mentioned Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf's comments last year about Bryson, advising: "Also last year Humza Yousaf himself said 'he is at it' of Adam Graham Isla Bryson so I would suggest if the SPS think that's any kind of a crime they should take it up with Mr Yousaf and see what he thinks."
On this ongoing controversy, a Scottish Prison Service representative kept it brief, stating: "We do not comment on individuals."
