A convicted rapist from the UK, who transitioned from male to female before appearing in court, has been moved to a men's prison after outrage over her original placement at a women's prison.

Isla Bryson was convicted of raping two women when she was a male, formerly known as Adam Graham. Set to be sentenced next month after Tuesday's conviction, Bryson's case created widespread debate after she was originally placed at a women's prison. Critics, including Bryson's estranged wife, argued that Bryson only transitioned to have an easier time behind bars and raised concerns for the safety of other female inmates.

"It would not be appropriate for me, in respect of any prisoner, to give details of where they are being incarcerated," said First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. "But given the understandable public and parliamentary concern in this case, I can confirm to parliament that this prisoner will not be incarcerated at Cornton Vale women's prison. I hope that provides assurance to the public."

Sturgeon agreed with critics that a rapist should not be held at a women's prison and added, "There is no automatic right for a trans woman convicted of a crime to serve their sentence in a female prison even if they have a gender recognition certificate. Every case is subject to rigorous individual risk assessment and the safety of other prisoners is paramount."

Acknowledging the concerns of the transgender community, the first minister said the public should not think "that trans women pose an inherent threat to women...Predatory men, as has always been the case, are the risk to women."

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross criticized Sturgeon's decision to reverse Bryson's original placement and said he warned during gender reform debates that sexual predators would use loopholes to carry out their crimes against women. He also claimed Sturgeon's decision is due to maintaining a positive public image rather than the safety of women.

"It should not have taken public disgust and a slew of negative headlines about a double rapist being sent to a women's prison for Nicola Sturgeon to realize this was completely unacceptable and wrong," he stated. "She and her justice secretary have the power to impose a blanket ban on all rapists being sent to women's prisons, so why is she refusing to exercise it? It suggests Nicola Sturgeon's screeching U-turn in the Bryson case was down to fears over the political risk to herself rather than the safety risk to women prisoners."

Bryson's estranged wife, Shonna Graham, also spoke out and expressed sympathy for "real trans people" but called her former partner's transition a "sham for attention" in an attempt to fool the justice system.

While accusing Bryson of being abusive during their relationship, Graham also stated, "Never once did he say anything to me about feeling he was in the wrong body or anything."

Bryson revealed during her rape trial that she knew she was transgender at four years old but didn't transition until 29. She claimed she was "struggling with my sexuality and having issues emotionally" in 2016 and is currently taking hormones and seeking gender reassignment surgery.

On Thursday, Bryson was transferred to a male prison after a 72-hour segregated assessment period.

Source: BBC