30.H. Workshop: Women and prison: vulnerability and overlapping health needs of women in prison worldwide
Authors:   Organised by: WHO/Europe, University of Pisa (Italy), EMCDDA, UNODC, EUPHA Public health policy and politics section, EUPHA Infectious diseases control section,   Chair persons: Carina Ferreira-Borges – WHO/Europe, Lara Tavoschi - Italy
Published: October 2020

Women constitute a small proportion of prison populations worldwide (2%-9%) with imprisonment rates ranging from 3.2 per 100,000 women inhabitants in Africa up to 31.4 in the Americas. These figures reflect the that the tendency for women to commit less crimes and receive more lenient sentences than men, as many judges consider the social costs of sentencing women to prison too high. Yet, globally, the number of women in prison has increased by more than 50% between 2000 and 2017, compared to a 20% increase in men. Data on other gender minorities in prison, such as transgender people, are scarce if available at all.

Women tend to be sentenced for different crimes than men. These are primarily non-violent crimes, including drug law offences. Worldwide the proportion of women in prison for drug-related offences is 35% compared to 19% that of men.

Women in prison have complex social and health profiles often characterised by suboptimal access to healthcare services. Many have lived since childhood in socially disadvantaged contexts and experienced multiple traumas, including sexual abuse and deteriorated families. The cumulative effect of these adverse childhood and adulthood events may be determinant risk factors influencing their criminal pathway and health related issues. Because of these overlapping vulnerabilities women in prison have high rates of mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorders, depression, self-harm and substance use disorders. Furthermore, women in prison are more likely to engage in risky behaviours, including sex work and injecting drug use and suffer from higher burden of infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis as compared to men in prison and the general female population. Targeted interventions are needed to address health needs of women both inside prison and after release.

The main objective of this workshop is to present the health status of women in prison across the globe, highlighting the main health-related issues, the existing challenges and the available evidence for interventions.

Despite large regional differences in social, cultural, political and legal contexts of different countries, at global level there are many similarities in the health profile and needs of women who are imprisoned and in the impact of their incarceration.

At start, a survey will be conducted using an e-voting poll with two main aims: getting to know the audience better and fostering engagement with the audience. In anticipation of different levels of expertise and interest on the topic, a brief overview of the WHO/UNODC guidance on women's health in prison will also be provided to the audience.

The workshop will be structured in 4 presentations of 15 minutes each. Together, they present data on a variety of regions and populations, and will provide participants with an overview of prison health in women at global level. Presentations will be followed by a moderated questions and answers session.

Key messages

Globally, women in prison represent a small but extremely vulnerable population groups with complex and specific health needs, often not adequately addressed. We call for heightened global attention to the health needs of women in prison, and to a multidisciplinary approach including health, psychological and social approach.