Working With Transgendered And Transsexual People As Offenders In The Probation Service

Many organisations over recent years have recognised that the litmus test of diversity policies is how equipped staff feel to work with a person from any ‘minority’ group, whether this group forms part of the regular case load or if their needs are so unique that their experiences are exceptional. In work with offenders, thinking about diversity has quite rightly focussed on systematic discrimination and challenging why some groups receive a less favourable treatment in the criminal justice system than others. Less consideration has been given to people who may form part of a very small minority, even though they often experience extreme levels of discrimination and bigotry. Transgender people are such a group, a small proportion of the general population who experience discrimination and lack of understanding on a daily basis and who are over represented in the criminal justice system.