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Evans, S, 2025. Navigating gendered prisons: the custodial experiences of transgender and non-binary individuals. DPsych, Nottingham Trent University.
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Abstract
There is a complex relationship between transgender and non-binary (trans+) individuals and the Criminal Justice System (CJS). Research notes how experiences of discrimination, social exclusion, and institutional biases impact interactions with legal systems. Research also highlights how binary, gendered structures within prisons create unique hardships for trans+ individuals serving custodial sentences.
Trans+ individuals report negative experiences of custody at a structural, interpersonal and intrapersonal level. This thesis aims to explore these experiences further. However, due to the paucity of research focusing on trans+ individuals in custody in England and Wales, this thesis begins with a systematic review of a broader pool of literature. It includes previous research which explores the experiences of trans+ individuals detained in countries with a comparable CJS to England and Wales. It also considers factors which may influence trans+ individuals experiences such as custodial settings, policies, and geographical locations. Seventeen studies were identified, the findings of which were stratified into three main themes and seven sub-themes. These pieces predominantly focus on trans women in male prisons, with limited applicability to all trans+ people, especially those in women's prisons. The systematic review identified several research gaps, shaping the empirical study.
To address the research gaps identified, the empirical study contained within this thesis explored the lived experiences of trans+ individuals within the women’s prison estate in England and Wales. A qualitative methodology was used, and purposeful sampling identified seven trans+ participants from across four women’s prisons. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), four Group Experiential Themes (GETs) and nine sub-themes emerged. These identified trans+ people in women’s prisons often felt unsupported, with their needs inadequately addressed. Positive experiences were reported, however these connected to key staff members where participants felt listened to and respected. Overall, participants felt staff lacked understanding of TGD needs, impacting access to gender-affirming items and effective management of discrimination. Consequently, the study suggested the necessity of enhancing staff understanding and training, fostering interpersonal connections, promoting person-centred support, and reducing victimisation.
The findings from this thesis have led to recommendations shared with participants, senior management in the women’s prison estate, and HMPPS stakeholders, aiming to improve policies and support implementation.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Creators: | Evans, S. |
| Contributors: | Name Role NTU ID ORCID |
| Date: | April 2025 |
| Rights: | The copyright in this work is held by the author. You may copy up to 5% of this work for private study, or personal, non-commercial research. Any re-use of the information contained within this document should be fully referenced, quoting the author, title, university, degree level and pagination. Queries or requests for any other use, or if a more substantial copy is required, should be directed to the author. |
| Divisions: | Schools > School of Social Sciences |
| Record created by: | Jeremy Silvester |
| Date Added: | 23 Jan 2026 13:42 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Jan 2026 13:46 |
| URI: | https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/55107 |
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