Rapist Isla Bryson is claiming to be a victim of hate crime in prison
The 32 year old transgender prisoner was moved to a male prison after backlash
Transgender prisoner Isla Bryson has written a letter claiming to be the victim of a hate crime by prison staff.
The 32 year old was jailed in February 2023 after being convicted of raping two women, while living as a man.
Bryson was originally sent to Cornton Vale women’s prison following conviction at the High Court in Glasgow, but was later moved to the male prison estate following backlash and political scandal for the SNP.
In a handwritten letter to the Sunday Mail, Bryson claimed to have received an apology after being called “son” by a female member of staff in a misgendering incident.
"I'm just dealing with transphobia from staff"
The former DJ started to identify as a woman while on bail, and appeared for trial under the name Isla Bryson before being sentenced to eight years at the High Court in Edinburgh, with a further three years on licence.
In the letter, Bryson wrote: “I'm just dealing with transphobia from staff.
"I was told from a staff member in Edinburgh that the MSP has been telling governors to treat trans women that come into the SPS (Scottish Prison Service) like men.
"It's disgusting and a hate crime."
The letter added: "They refuse to put any female toiletries or makeup out.
"I am on blockers just now. I have boobs. I don't sound like a man anymore."
"It's disgusting and a hate crime"
Bryson was convicted of the rape of one woman in Clydebank in 2016, and a second in nearby Drumchapel in 2019.
In the letter, the prisoner insisted: “I want to make this clear, I don’t like women, I’m only into men.”
Bryson has admitted to having a five-month relationship with a fellow prisoner who was jailed for six years in 2019 for paedophilia and drugs, as well as a three week relationship with an inmate named Colin.
Governor of male prison HMP Glenochil, Natalie Beal, wrote to Bryson last month following the incident in which a member of staff called Bryson "son", and said the SPS officer immediately "apologised after realising their mistake", the newspaper reported.
The letter stated that during the probe, Bryson was unable to state the date, time or name of officers involved in either incident, with no witnesses found.
"Misgendering is not a hate crime"
Ms Beal said in the letter that a separate unclear incident involving a metal detector was an oversight by a prison officer who "may not have realised" at the time that Bryson was a trans prisoner.
It was reported that Ms Beal added: "We do apologise if you felt disrespected but we do not believe that would have been the intention of the officer concerned."
Former governor for Cornton Vale, Rhona Hotchkiss, told the Sunday Mail: "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.
"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."
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: "We do not comment on individuals."