Women usually make up a very small minority of the overall prison population. They have particular needs and vulnerabilities which are different from those of men, but prison rules and facilities have been developed for a prison population in which the male prisoner is considered to be the norm.
Drawing from observations, interviews and other fact-finding during its visits since 1990, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has gradually developed detailed standards on the treatment of women in prison.
The factsheet covers the following issues:
- Appropriate accommodation
- Equal access to activities
- Adequate hygiene and health care
- Ante-natal, post-natal and child care
- Gender-sensitive prison management, staffing and training
- Gender-sensitive personal searches
- Contact with the outside world
- Read the CPT factsheet on women in prison
