Exploring transgender people’s experiences of gender expression and institutional support in women’s prisons

Background & Aim Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals face significant challenges within prison systems. While existing research has largely focused on TGD women in male prisons, often highlighting hyper-feminine presentation, such findings may not translate to the experiences of TGD individuals in women’s prisons in the UK. This qualitative study addresses this gap by exploring how TGD people in prison are supported in expressing their gender identity within women’s prisons and the impact this has on their wellbeing.Methods A small, purposively selected sample of seven participants (five self-identifying as trans men, two trans women) from four women’s prisons in England and Wales took part in semi-structured interviews between October 2023 and February 2024. These were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Gender Minority Stress Theory informed our approach toward data collection and framing of the findings.Results Our analysis identified two overarching themes: (1) Invisibility through misunderstanding: When identities are misrecognized and voices are ignored, and (2) The dual impact of affirmation and neglect on wellbeing. Our participants frequently encountered staff who lacked understanding or motivation to support their needs, leading to feelings of invisibility, distress, and compromised wellbeing. The findings highlighted inconsistent structural support, limited access to gender-affirming items and healthcare, and a reliance on individual staff members for validation as key factors.Conclusions These accounts, from seven participants across four establishments, cannot establish the prevalence or consistency of institutional practice across the women’s prison estate. They do, however, point to priority areas warranting further evaluation: staff training and organizational understanding of trans-specific vulnerability, and clearer, more consistently applied policy around gender-affirming support. Positive staff–trans relationships appeared to buffer some of the difficulties participants described, suggesting these relationships, alongside prison culture, policy, and leadership, merit closer examination as potential levers for improving trans people’s safety and wellbeing in custody.