An Edinburgh prisoner who abducted and raped his care worker is now wishing to be known as Claire as he is set to be released.
Albert Caballero, 50, is requesting to be known as a woman which has stunned his guards at HMP Edinburgh. It is understood that he has asked for lipstick and eye make-up whilst changing the name he would like to be known as.
Caballero is close to being able to apply to be released back into the community. Having served half his sentence he will be able to approach the Parole Board for Scotland.
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Those on the inside of Saughton Prison have claimed that the bald Caballero had only recently made the alteration to be known as Claire. He is alleged to have told fellow inmates that he hopes to be transferred to a women’s prison before he is set free, the Daily Record reports.
Caballero’s request comes at a time where a new “self-ID” gender recognition law is sparking controversy and debate. The law that was passed by the SNP/Green Government has shockingly been blocked by the UK Government - the legislation is set to make it easier for trans individuals to change their legal sex.
A senior staff source at the prison said Caballero’s behaviour had a chilling effect on other inmates. The source said: “There’s something about him that calls to mind Silence of the Lambs. He has mad, staring eyes and sometimes they just seem to go right through you.”
The source added: “There has been talk in the jail about the prospect of him seeking a move to be among women but, given his offence, I don’t see how anyone would risk it, even the most vociferous person in favour of self-ID.”
Although release at the half-sentence point is automatic for those serving less than four years, those on long-term sentences like Caballero need to apply for their freedom. Under laws passed in 2016, some offenders can be held until six months before the end of their sentence, if the Parole Board for Scotland believes they are not safe to release.
In June 2019, Caballero was sentenced to eight years in jail, and was made subject to a supervision order for a further four years after he leaves prison.
He was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, while his traumatised victim has never been able to return to work. Caballero was detained just after the rape in December 2018, so his eight-year term was backdated to that date.
This means he has passed the halfway point and is understood to be preparing to apply to the Parole Board for release.
An SPS spokesperson said: “All decisions on the most appropriate location to accommodate someone are made on an individualised basis, informed by a multi-disciplinary assessment of the rights and needs of the individual and of others in our care.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The SPS uses comprehensive individualised risk assessments to inform decisions such as the appropriate location of transgender people in custody and not the basis of a Gender Recognition Certificate.”
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