52 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 In May 2006, the Department of the Prison and Probation Service therefore initiated an elucidation project in which the issue of establishing a completely separate women’s block was considered. A research project about female prisoners in Denmark was also initiated. DKK 16 million granted for building improvements Due to the intense attention paid to the conditions of the female prisoners at Herstedvester Prison, the multi-annual agreement for 2008-2011 for the Prison and Probation Service allocated DKK 16 million for building improvements with a view to ‘ensuring that female prisoners at Herstedvester Prison can be offered employment and leisure activities separate from the men and more ­opportunities to spend time with children and grandchildren’. Subsequently, a new women’s block was established at Herstedvester Prison: –– The block was moved and further rooms were included. –– A completely new section with three rooms with own bath and toilet was built. –– A new common room and a workshop were established. –– An interview room was created. –– The option of separate prison yard exercise in a separate outdoor area was introduced. –– A fitness training room was established. –– A washing machine and a tumble dryer were installed. –– Kitchen facilities were established. In addition, two visitor flats were established, where the women can meet their families. These can also be used by other prisoners. The new block etc. was inaugurated in late 2010. An actual women’s prison The research project ‘Perspectives on women’s daily lives in Danish prisons’ was completed in March 2011. In this connection, the Department of the Prison and Probation Service set up a committee with the task of making recommendations regarding the future housing of and offers for female prisoners. The