The number of transgender prisoners transitioning from men to women is at record levels raising new questions over how jails cope with the surge.

More than 100 male inmates in jails in England and Wales now identify as female, double the figure two years ago, according to Ministry of Justice figures. Of these, more than 20 are held in women’s jails with the remainder in men’s prisons.

The disclosure follows controversy this summer when it emerged a transgender inmate had sexually assaulted two fellow prisoners after transferring to a women’s prison.

Karen White, who was born Stephen Wood and was transitioning, was described by the judge as a predator who used her "transgender persona" to put herself in contact with vulnerable women. White, who had previously raped two women, was jailed for life.