Joanne Bunting said:
“Given the decision of the High Court, the Justice Minister, Naomi Long, must outline how she intends to ensure that the women’s prison at Hydebank Wood will remain a space exclusively for those who are biologically female.
The welfare of women in custody must be safeguarded, particularly given the vulnerability of some of those women who are in prison. The very rationale for the establishment of women’s only prisons was that the specific needs of female inmates, some of whom will have experienced trauma or abuse, are met.
Allowing biological males amongst these prisoners’ risks undermining these protections and could have serious consequences for the safety and dignity of female prisoners.
We need clarity from the Minister on how the Department of Justice plans to address this issue considering the court’s findings. DUP will continue to advocate for the preservation of women-only spaces as a matter of principle and justice.”