Judge refuses to transfer transgender prisoner to women's prison

A federal judge has rejected a request to transfer 58-year-old Amanda Cooper from a men's prison to a women's facility.

Cooper, originally from the Montreal area, was declared a dangerous offender in 2001 following multiple sexual assaults on women. He is serving his sentence at the maximum-security Millhaven men's prison in Ontario. At the time, he identified as a man and committed several sexual offences. In 2020, he began presenting as a woman, and in 2024 he underwent a full transition.

His lawyer argues that, following his sex reassignment surgery, he should be placed in a women's prison in line with internal policy and that he fears for his safety in a men's facility. However, the Correctional Service rejected the request, citing his high risk to both inmates and staff given his past offences.

The judge found evidence of high risk and ruled that the current prison provides adequate conditions. No date has yet been set for a hearing.

(cbc, lud)