The needs of female prisoners

| Women in Prison | Parenthood | The need of female prisoners | The new prison | Resettlement | Anna's story |

A study carried out by prison doctors revealed that female prisoners are a vulnerable population: 56% were chronic drug users; 49% had a history of psychiatric treatment 34% had attempted suicide; 75% had been in prison before.

Although they have had extensive contact with mental health services outside prison, there is little such support available when they are in custody. The padded cell is used all too frequently as a substitute for proper medical, psychological and psychiatric care. In one recent case, a woman spent three weeks in 'the pad' waiting for a space to become free in the Central Mental Hospital.

"I remember going through horrific withdrawal symptoms and lying on the ground and screaming for one of the officers and they came for me and threw me in the pad."

"The padded cell is just an easier way of wiping blood off the walls when you bang your head off it."

Suicidal behaviour is also a problem. According to the annual report of the Mountjoy Prison Visiting Committee, four women attempted suicide in 1997. The previous year there had been one suicide and 22 attempts. Given the small number of women in prison, the provision of counselling services could bring great benefits and not be expensive. In particular, drug treatment should be made available for all who want it. As things stand, women do not feel that their medical needs are met.

"They give out too much anti-depressants. They'd give you anything to zonk you out, to shut you up. They give out medication too freely. When they let you out of prison you are strung out on a whole lot of prescribed medication. You don't know how it will affect you."

In 1997, £523 was spent on prescribed medication for every prisoner space in Mountjoy Women's Prison. This was significantly higher than any other establishment in the country, and compared with £362 for the men in Mountjoy and £143 for Cork.

— The new prison

A new prison for women opened in Dublin in 1999. It has been designed so that small numbers of inmates will live together in discrete units. Within the units it is hoped that they will prepare their own food and, as far as possible, take responsibility for their lives. The quality of the new facility is excellent and should be a benchmark for all new penal institutions. It is to be hoped that it will be accompanied by a commitment to provide proper access to training and educational programmes.

Prison life must be purposeful and structured. It should be seen as a period when individuals are given the opportunity to learn how to make a constructive contribution to society. It should be a time for reflection, review and change. Prisoners should be given targets and the resources to work towards them. It is to be hoped that the new prison will allow the development of such a vision.

— Resettlement

Women released from prison are confronted by poverty, homelessness, instability and violence. This makes re-offending likely. It is often those serving short sentences who have the greatest needs. At present there is little help available, either before or after release, to aid resettlement.

A high-support hostel for homeless ex-prisoners would help tackle some of these issues. This would be a place of safety from violence and sexual abuse with services available on site to address medical and psychological needs, education, drug use, childcare, employment and training. Together with the appointment of a director of sentence planning and resettlement this would demonstrate a commitment to treatment and training which is sorely lacking at present.

Imprisonment is a corrupting and degrading experience. This situation is exacerbated when conditions are overcrowded, drug misuse is rife, medical and psycho-logical resources are stretched, and opportunities for rehabilitation are few. Women in the penal system are 'invisible' because there are so few of them. It is time to acknowledge their needs and respond effectively to them.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Prison visiting rooms should be designed to meet the needs of mothers and children. Physical contact should be allowed during visits, save in exceptional circumstances.
2. A director of sentence planning and resettlement should be appointed.
3. Adequate medical and counselling services should be an integral part of the new prison for women.

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