Prison leaders have pledged to improve how the system cares for transgender inmates.
A long-awaited review is being conducted in two stages and its results will be published early next year.
Women’s groups, female prisoners and the public have been consulted in the process for the first time.
It comes after it was revealed that at least 12 trans prisoners with convictions for violence and sexual crimes have been accommodated in Scottish women’s jails within the last 18 months.
Campaigners hope the review could bring an end to trans prisoners being able to demand a move into the female estate.
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