Transcript The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and

Aisha Shujune Muhammad
Poverty
Alcohol / drug
dependency
Crime
Abuse
Marginalization
Detained for ordinary crimes
Detained for security reasons
Kidnapping
Bondage and forced labour
 Women’s needs have not been understood by the






criminal justice system - women are kept in
institutions designed for men, by men
Women’s prisons are spread out geographically
Women are the primary caretakers in a family
Women are more vulnerable to abuse
Women are more vulnerable to self harm and suicide
Women are ostracized when they return to their
families / communities
Reduced access to justice
 Classification and placement systems
 Legal support
 Family relationships and responsibilities
 Health issues
History of
DV and
abuse
Family
responsibility
Actual
security risk
Presumption of Innocence
Right to legal counsel
Lack of resources
Inadequately funded legal aid systems
Reduced possibility of bail / acquittal
Face trial without knowledge of law or legal system
Held reasonably near home
Small number of female prisons
Stigmatization
 Health condition at initial admission
 Hygiene
 Continued health services during
detention
 Reproductive health services
 Psychiatric and psychological support
services