Sarah Jane Baker, England’s longest-serving trans-identified prisoner, has stated his intention to run for public office in a bid to become the first transgender Member of Parliament.
Previously known as Alan Baker, the 52 year-old spent 30 years in prison for attempting to murder another prisoner after being previously convicted for kidnapping and torturing his stepmother’s brother.
Baker told Southwark News that he aims to stand for election to the Richmond Park seat. “I want a seat at the big table, if I am to make the changes I want,” he said. The news outlet referred to Baker as a “woman” throughout and highlights his ‘dedication’ to the prison abolition movement since being released in 2019.
Last June, Baker was photographed at London’s Pride Parade holding signs which read, “Be Trans, Do Crime”. A sign in an identical style – red spray paint – that read, “Kill JK Rowling” was placed on the Bomber Command Memorial, prompting speculation that Baker was responsible for the death threat.
In 2013 Baker made headlines when he began identifying as “Sarah” and costing taxpayers £10,000 for what media referred to as a “sex change”. Baker once boasted that he never wanted to be freed, describing himself as a “professional prisoner.”
During a 2009 hearing, he stated: “I am happy to be locked away. Doing bird is the one thing I excel at. I have no responsibility, free food, laundry, healthcare, a job and my Open University course costs me nothing.”
Baker has published a book titled Transgender Behind Prison Walls which provides “a range of support mechanisms” and legal information for male inmates on how to gain advantages by declaring themselves to be women.
