Experts Warn of Rising Crisis as Global Female Prison Population Nears One Million

Up to one million women worldwide are facing severe human rights abuses in prisons, including sexual violence and forced labour. This alarming situation has been described as a growing global crisis, with the number of incarcerated women increasing at a significantly faster rate than that of men. Current trends suggest that the female prison population will surpass one million soon.

While women typically account for between 2% and 9% of total national prison populations, the number of women imprisoned has surged by 57% since the year 2000, compared to a 22% increase in male prisoners. According to Olivia Rope, executive director at Penal Reform International, “We are facing a global crisis. If you look at the rate of growth compared to men in prison, it is really alarming.”

The Guardian conducted interviews with prisoners, lawyers, and advocates from various countries, including El Salvador, Kenya, the United States, Argentina, and Iran. Many reported instances of women enduring beatings, sexual abuse, and forced labour, often while serving sentences for minor offenses.

International guidelines were established in 2010 when UN member states adopted the Bangkok Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders. These rules were the first of their kind to specifically address the needs of incarcerated women. Despite some limited progress, many key aspects remain neglected, according to Rope. “It is not acceptable that these rules are being flouted,” she remarked. “We’re probably in the hardest spot we have been for the last 15 years in terms of ensuring accountability.”

The increase in the female prison population is largely driven by poverty, abuse, and discriminatory laws. Women are disproportionately jailed for minor theft, such as stealing food to feed children, for begging, and for non-violent drug offenses. As of the latest edition of the World Female Imprisonment List, over 733,000 women and girls are currently incarcerated globally. The actual number is believed to be higher due to a lack of reliable data.

The United States has the highest number of incarcerated women, with approximately 174,607 currently in prison. China follows with about 145,000 women imprisoned, not including an unknown number in pre-trial detention. In England and Wales, there are 3,566 women incarcerated, comprising just 4% of the total prison population, with 72% serving sentences for non-violent crimes as of 2020, according to the Prison Reform Trust.

In Europe, approximately 94,472 women are detained, while Australia reports 3,743 women in prison, accounting for 8% of its total prison population. Unfortunately, many women face unique challenges within a justice system primarily designed for men.

A significant proportion of incarcerated women experience mental health issues and have histories of abuse. In Europe, suicide rates among women in prison are nine times higher than in the general population, according to the World Health Organization. Access to mental health treatment is often limited, exacerbating their conditions.

Sabrina Mahtani, a Zambian-British lawyer and member of Women Beyond Walls, asserts that “most women should not be in prison at all.” After 20 years of working with women in prison globally, she believes the current system is harmful. “Most of these women don’t represent a danger to society,” she added, advocating for alternative options to incarceration.

The impact of incarceration extends beyond the individual. Approximately 1.45 million children worldwide have a mother in prison. Rope highlighted the significant familial disruption caused when mothers are incarcerated, stating, “When a mother goes to prison, the family usually falls apart.”

Furthermore, pregnant women often do not receive adequate care, with some reports indicating that women have given birth alone in cells or have been restrained during labor. Sexual violence within prisons is pervasive, particularly in conflict-affected regions, where women are sometimes exploited and forced into prostitution.

In many countries, incarcerated women are compelled to work, performing tasks like maintenance and cleaning for minimal or no pay. Concerns have arisen regarding the lack of regulation, especially in relation to private sector involvement. For instance, reports indicate that women in a Cambodian prison were illegally producing garments for export.

Access to prisons and accurate data regarding their populations remain significant challenges. Helen Fair, a research fellow at the Institute for Criminal Policy Research, noted that the availability of reliable prison data is often sparse, leading to substantial gaps in understanding the situation.

The rising number of women in prison and the harsh conditions they face underscore the urgent need for reform in the global justice system.