Penal Reform and Gender TABLE OF CONTENTS Acronyms iii 1. Introduction 1 2. What is penal reform? 1 3. Why is gender important to penal reform? 2 3.1 For penal institutions to meet human rights standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 3.2 To ensure equitable penal policies that do not discriminate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 3.3 To achieve prisoners’ reform rehabilitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 3.4 To promote better public health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 3.5 To promote equal treatment and participation of men and women as penal sector staff . . . . . . . . . . .4 4. How can gender be integrated into penal reform? 4 4.1 Ensure that penal policies are appropriate to both male and female prisoners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 4.2 Ensure oversight and complaints mechanisms address gender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 4.3 Eliminate discrimination in the way prisons are run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 4.4 Ensure prison treatment is appropriate to the particular needs of men and women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 4.5 Prevent and respond to gender-based violence in prison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 4.6 Ensure access to health care for male and female prisoners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 4.7 Meet the needs of pregnant women and mothers of young children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 4.8 Ensure appropriate and skilled prison staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 4.9 Engage civil society organisations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 4.10 Build public support for penal reform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 5. Integrating gender into penal reform in specific contexts 14 5.1 Post-conflict countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 5.2 Transitional countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 5.3 Developing countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 5.4 Developed countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 6. Key recommendations 17 7. Additional resources 18 ii