The Department of Corrections’ policy to treat people only by the gender on their birth certificate is discriminatory and dangerous, says transgender advocacy group GenderBridge.

These comments follow a report by The Chief Ombudsman, who is concerned that under the Department of Corrections policy of housing prisoners, transgender inmates are at risk of sexual assault.

Prisoners are currently placed according to their birth gender, unless they have had all the surgeries necessary for complete gender reassignment.

“There is a high legal threshold for changing one’s birth certificate and not everyone takes all the steps required for health, cultural, or personal reasons,” says Genderbridge chairperson Jaimie Veale.

“The Human Rights Commission’s 2008 Transgender Inquiry raised concerns about the safety of transgender people in prison and it seems there has been little action on this now more than four years on.

“GenderBridge is also aware of concerns about transgender people being put into segregation not not being able to mix with other prisoners, not having access to rehabilitation and other prison services, and not having access to hormones if we have not been prescribed these prior to sentencing. This report outlines potential risk of assault to transgender people.

“The small number of transgender prisoners means it should be easier for there to be flexibility to protect and help rehabilitate people in this marginalised group.”

Veale says the transgender community would be happy help to work with the Department of Corrections to make prison a safer place for everyone, and says GenderBridge hopes that with the Chief Ombudsman and senior Labour MPs raising awareness of this issue that some action can be taken.