A transgender rapist whose case sparked public outcry has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
Isla Bryson, 31, who was last month found guilty of raping two women while a man – will also serve three years of leave.
A Glasgow High Court judgment heard that Bryson attacked a victim in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, in 2016, and another in Drumchapel, Glasgow, in 2019.
She met both victims online, with prosecutors saying she “preyed on” vulnerable women.
Bryson, of Clydebank, denied the allegations, telling the court that “I would never harm another human being” and claimed that both victims consented to have sex.
However, her bail was revoked after her conviction and she was held in custody pending sentencing to allow Lord Scott to gather “as much information as possible”.
The Scottish Prison Service’s (SPS) decision to initially house Bryson in segregation in Cornton Vale, Scotland all-female prison, led to backlash from the public and politicians.
Bryson was moved into male ownership within days and an urgent review of the case was ordered by Attorney General Keith Brown.
The review – which was not fully shared by SPS for data protection reasons – concluded that women were not at risk of harm as a consequence of Bryson’s tenure.
It has also been claimed that Bryson did not come into contact with any other inmates during his time at Cornton Vale near Stirling.
At the Criminal Justice Committee meeting last week, SPS Executive Director Teresa Medhurst was questioned about the controversial case.
Katy Clark of Scottish Labor said “we need answers” about how Bryson ended up in Cornton Vale.
Mrs. Medhurst explained that at the time of admission to prison, “extremely limited information” is available about the inmate, as there is no time for a multidisciplinary case conference, so a “best case decision” is made.
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Regarding Bryson’s placement, Ms. Medhurst said the decision was made in conjunction with SPS headquarters.
When pressed about who made the decision, she added: “I’m not at liberty to say.”
Until the SPS’ broader Identity and Gender Reassignment Policy Review (GIGR) is completed, any trans person in custody who has a history of violence against women — including sexual offenses — will not be reassigned from male to female.
In addition, newly convicted or remand transgender prisoners will be placed in a facility compatible with their birth gender.
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Nicola Sturgeon was asked by Sky News about the fight over transgender prisoners
After Bryson’s conviction, a victim said she was sure the accused was “faking it” and chose to change genders as “an easy way out” after the rapes.
Bryson’s ex-wife also claimed it was a “hoax to get attention”.
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Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon has come under pressure over the case in light of the Scottish government’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which was subsequently blocked by the UK government.
While agreeing that Bryson’s transgender claim is “almost certainly” a hoaxMrs. Sturgeon said she didn’t have enough information to say whether Bryson was male or female.
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SNP Leadership Hope Kate Forbes Believes Isla Bryson Is a Man
However, in a interview with SkyNewsSNP lead hope Kate Forbes stated, “A rapist cannot be a woman and therefore my direct answer would be that Isla Bryson is a man.”