Research and assessment of the characteristics and psychological needs of women in prison
(Rule 67 and 69, Chapter 11)
Understanding the characteristics of women in prison, including their backgrounds, pathway to coming in contact with the criminal justice system, and their psychological and mental health status and needs is a key step towards developing informed policies and programmes which promote and protect women’s rights in detention, reduce reoffending, contribute to rehabilitation and reintegration into society and guide overall criminal justice policy reform towards more gender-responsive justice systems.
In March 2021, PRI conducted comprehensive research in Sudan that targeted a third of the female prison population to better understand their characteristics and needs. The research concluded with a number of recommendations which would enhance the protection and rights of women in prison in Sudan, including the need for developing mental health support programmes to enhance women’s self-confidence, self-esteem, sense of safety and security, self-affirmation, etc., as well as the need for developing educational and rehabilitation programmes that can support their reintegration in society after their release. In addition, a number of recommendations focus on introducing alternatives to imprisonment and non-custodial measures for women who are detained for minor offences, who represent almost half of the female prison population.
For more information contact: priamman@penalreform.org