The United Kingdom should use fewer short custodial sentences for women and invest more in community-based alternatives to prison and support services, according to the Council of Europe’s anti-torture committee.
The Committee for the prevention of torture (CPT) has today published a report following its visit to the Eastwood Park and Styal prisons in December 2025. The aim of the visit was to examine the treatment and conditions of detention of women held in prison in England and Wales.
Need for efficient social and mental healthcare, both in prison and out
The CPT found that, at the time of the visit, significant numbers of women were serving short sentences or had been recalled to prison – often for less than a month.
Such measures are resource intensive and generally ineffective, according to the committee; what women need are effective reintegration measures and efficient social and mental healthcare, both in prison and the community. This is especially true for women with complex needs, mental health issues, and those at risk of homelessness.
Staff shortages affecting safety and activities
The CPT reported that conditions of detention were generally acceptable at Eastwood Park, which is in Gloucestershire. At Styal in Cheshire, however, accommodation was dilapidated and in an inadequate state of repair, with urgent action needed to conform with fire-safety regulations.
The delegation found that severe staff shortages at both prisons impaired the level of safety, the scheduling of activities and prisoner welfare, often leading to prolonged lock-ups and a lack of supervision.
The provision of healthcare was generally of good quality, but the adequate provision of mental healthcare in particular posed a significant challenge. The CPT underlined that women in prison with an acute mental illness requiring urgent intervention should be transferred to an appropriate mental-health facility without delay.
Some good practices, but more specialised training needed
The committee found that the mother-and-baby units in both of the prisons visited provided a high level of care. It also praised the practice at Styal prison of compiling a summary sheet on each individual prisoner placed in segregation, which provided staff with an insight into the specific needs, triggers and positive interactions of each woman.
More generally, the CPT called for the introduction of more specialised, gender-specific and trauma-informed training for prison officers working with women in prison.
Today’s report has been published together with the response of the UK authorities.
