25th February 2001

Jail staff lectured over colleague’s sex change

A British prison has given staff gender awareness training after one of their number opted for a sex change.

Bryn Hornsby works in the kitchens at Everthorpe jail near Hull and has opted to become Christine.

Prison governor Pat Midgley has asked the Gender Trust charity to give Christine’s colleagues a two-hour lesson on transsexual issues.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: “The governor took advice from the Equal Opportunities Commission and decided to bring in somebody to train staff who are working with this employee so that they would have an understanding of the issues involved.”

She denies Christine has been ridiculed by prison colleagues and says the decision is a pre-emptive and progressive move by the governor.

She said: “The Prison Service is committed to dealing openly and fairly with staff without regard to race, gender or sexual orientation.”

Last updated: 23:41 Saturday 24th February 2001

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