• 4 months ago
• Posted in:Charged, Stalking/harrassment/threats, Violent Offences
• 0
• Author: Trans Crime
• Tags: County Down, Female prison, HMP Hydebank Wood, HMP Maghaberry, Male prison, Michelle James, Northern Ireland, PSNI, Trans activist, Trans woman, Transferred to women's prison

Michelle James, a male who identifies as a transgender woman, was charged with threatening to kill a neighbour in County Down in December 2024 and detained at HMP Maghaberry, a high security men’s prison near Lisburn, Northern Ireland.

James, aged 63 and a local trans activist in County Down, mounted habeas corpus proceedings which the Department of Justice conceded based on a lack of a policy for transgender individuals held in custody. The court therefore decided James should be moved to HMP Hydebank Wood, a women’s prison and young offender’s centre located in South Belfast. James was subsequently bailed with strict conditions imposed not to contact the complainant.

The date for a trial has not been included in media coverage.

Image via X/Twitter user @smith_orlat

Media reports

BBC News Transgender woman wins court case for transfer to female prison https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g2w3q10lno archive

Belfast Telegraph https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/transgender-woman-detained-on-charges-of-threatening-to-kill-neighbour-wins-battle-to-be-transferred-to-ni-female-prison/a825568536.html archive