Transgender killer Sophie Eastwood moved to male jail is 'chained to guard all day'

Get the latest Daily Record breaking news on WhatsApp

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

Join us on WhatsApp

A transgender killer forced out of a female jail is being guarded round the clock by security staff after being moved to an NHS hospital ward.

Prison bosses moved Sophie Eastwood, 39, to a male jail after six years with female inmates following rule changes in the wake of the Isla Bryson scandal. The killer is now being held in a single suite at a Lanarkshire hospital ward after developing a bowel condition.

Eastwood has spoken out about “degrading” conditions in hospital – including being cuffed to a security guard around the clock and not being allowed to close the toilet door. As Daniel, Eastwood was in jail for dangerous driving when she killed cellmate Paul Algie in 2004, strangling him with a pair of shoelaces.

Eastwood has identified as a woman since she started to transition in 2017 while serving a life sentence for the killing. But new rules for trans prisoners saw her moved from Cornton Vale women’s jail to Shotts prison. The move came after Bryson, 32, who was known as Adam Graham when carrying out violent sex attacks on two women, was earmarked for a women’s jail until a huge storm erupted.

Speaking to a friend about her hospital stay, Eastwood said: “In the months I have been in hospital I am emaciated, I have lost lots of weight. I have no strength and I’m chained to a guard all day. It’s really hard to understand why I’m being treated in such a degrading way.”

Eastwood also claims she has been subjected to repeated searches. She added: “In prison, if your cell is searched for drugs or anything else and nothing is found, that’s the end of it.

Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.

All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!

If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

“But in the hospital there were repeated searches, which included my bed. I was told I could no longer close the door when using the toilet, regardless of the sex of the staff on duty.”

The Isla Bryson fallout led the Scottish Prison Service to announce new rules that violent trans prisoners would not automatically be detained in a jail matching their new gender identity.

A spokeswoman for GEOAmey, which is responsible for security staff, said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on specific security arrangements, however, all activities are subject to thorough ­individual risk assessments undertaken by our officers and management team, with all external escorts facilitated by a minimum of two attending officers.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said: “We work closely with GEOAmey to ensure they
are aware of any risks and vulnerabilities relating to an individual requiring an escort, so they can be managed and supported appropriately.”

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.