- The guidelines outline ways to avoid discrimination against prison staff and inmates
Prison officers are required to use gender-neutral language and take the needs of “breastfeeding people” into account under new guidelines.
Guidance has been published in a Ministry of Justice document to ensure prison officers work in line with equality laws.
It encourages officers to use “gender-neutral” language and consider how “pregnant or breastfeeding women” are cared for in prison.
The Ministry of Justice document sets out ways to ensure staff, inmates and visitors to prisons are not discriminated against on the basis of nine protected characteristics.
These include age, gender, race, sexual orientation, and pregnancy.
The document was published on April 20, 2023, and asks officers whether the language used is gender neutral, using “they” instead of “he/she.”
Under the “Gender Reassignment” section, employees are asked to consider the following: “If you were staying in a physical location: Have you considered making physical changes to the environment?”
“For example: toilet and shower facilities, changing rooms and gender-neutral uniforms.”
In August, the government announced plans to make unisex restrooms the default in public buildings.
This is due to privacy concerns about mixed-gender and gender-neutral restrooms.
Announcing the plans at the time, Women and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch said: “It is important that everyone has privacy and dignity when using public facilities.”
“However, the move towards ‘gender-neutral’ toilets has removed this basic right for women and girls.
“These proposals will ensure that every new building in England is required to provide separate male and female or unisex facilities and publish guidance to explain the difference and protect the dignity, privacy and safety of everyone.”
The Ministry of Justice guidance also asks: “How are breastfeeding women cared for when working/visiting prison?” It asks officers to “take into account that men in same-sex couples and single men may have a child.”
Under the heading “Sexual Orientation”, the framework asks whether the prison’s “workplace culture” supports staff and inmates to be open about their orientation.
It read: “Does the workplace culture support and encourage individuals to be open and transparent about their sexual orientation?”
“This means: Supporting LGBT+ events, flag raising, including welcoming new offenders/initiates/visitors into organisations/offices/sites.
“Are your job descriptions written in a way that does not discourage members of the LGBT+ community from applying?”
That is: inclusive terms like the LGBT+ community instead of “the gay community”?
In the section on gender, it was stated: “Gender is defined as male and female.”
“However, as an inclusive organisation, we also take into account the needs of people who identify as non-binary, cisgender, etc.
“Consider this in relation to other protected characteristics, such as age [and] race.’
Maya Forstadter, executive director of Sex Matters, told The Telegraph: “This fictional and alarming official policy is militant transgender activism and suggests fellow staff and prisoners are there to validate the identity of an identified person.”
“The guidance on gender says it is defined as male and female, but then immediately undermines that by saying some people are ‘non-binary, gender fluid, etc.’ It also refers to ‘pregnant women’ rather than women.
“It is extremely worrying that blatantly politicized language has taken the matter beyond officials and ministers. Senior officials at the Ministry of Justice, including Permanent Secretary Antonia Romeo, must act decisively to prevent this from happening again.
“This guidance needs to be urgently reviewed if the Secretary of State plans to ensure gender ideology is completely eradicated from prison operations.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Prisoners do not have access to gender-neutral toilets.”
“This mandatory guidance ensures employees comply with the law – as every public body must,” The Telegraph reported.
The Ministry of Justice has recently introduced new guidelines for prison officers, emphasizing the use of gender-neutral language and considerations for the needs of “breastfeeding people.” The update in policy reflects a growing recognition of the diverse and often complex needs of individuals within the prison system. While the changes may be met with some resistance, they serve to promote a more inclusive and respectful environment for all individuals within the criminal justice system. In this essay, we will explore the implications of these new guidelines and their impact on the treatment of individuals within the prison system.