English transgender prisoner moved to jail for women

A transgender woman sent to an all-male jail has been moved to a women’s prison.

Tara Hudson, was handed a 12 week custodial term by magistrates following a drunken attack on a bar manager.

The make-up artist has lived as a woman all her adult life and had six years of gender reconstruction surgery, but is still legally classed as male.

She tried to appeal against her sentence, saying it was excessive and she had suffered a torrid time while locked up in the all male Category B prison HMP Horfield in Bristol.

Recorder Llewellyn Sellick dismissed the application given Hudson’s “appalling criminal record” but said the Prison Service should give “sensitive consideration” as to where the 26-year-old should serve her time.

Whitehall sources said Hudson had been moved to Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire. HM Prisons Service said it refused to comment on individual cases but added its guidelines did allow for discretion.

“It is longstanding policy to place offenders according to their legally recognised gender,” a spokesperson said.

“However, our guidelines allow room for discretion and in such cases, medical experts will review the circumstances in order to protect the emotional wellbeing of the person concerned.”

It said the “top priority is the safety and welfare of those in our custody and decisions relating to the location of transgender prisoners are taken by a range of people including psychologists, healthcare professionals and prison staff”.

Hudson appeared at Bath Magistrates’ Court last week on a charge of assault at Be At One Bar in Bath on December 26 last year.

She had initially denied any wrongdoing and claimed self defence but changed her plea on the day her trial was due to start.

The court heard a very drunk Hudson had headbutted the bar's manager Christopher Dyer after being refused to be served with any more alcohol.

Mr Dyer later needed £1,500 worth of dental surgery following the attack.

Hudson, who has eight previous convictions including offences for battery, had hoped her punishment would see her placed on electronic tag and undergo an alcohol awareness course.

Magistrates said the assault, which came three weeks after Hudson had been given a conditional discharge, was so serious that only custody could be justified.

She was then sent to HMP Horfield which holds around 600 young adults and adult men.

PA