BASELINE FOR SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION Therapeutic and holistic approaches The majority of prisoners – and women prisoners in particular – have multiple, overlapping needs and their successful rehabilitation is dependent on all of these needs being met. Rehabilitation programmes should address the root causes of criminal behaviour, including those that are specific to female prisoners. To achieve this, programmes must be integrated and holistic, taking into account economic, social, physical and psychological factors. Programmes that equip prisoners with practical skills whilst at the same time providing therapeutic support can be particularly beneficial. Due to their backgrounds and the specific challenges they face in prison, women are particularly likely to benefit from counselling and psychosocial, cognitive and motivational programmes. Psychosocial approaches look at the combined influence that psychological factors and the surrounding social environment have on a person’s physical and mental wellness and their ability to function. There are many different types of programmes that focus on changing the attitudes and behaviours of prisoners, which have been shown to have positive effects on recidivism. These include cognitive behavioural therapy – a talking therapy aimed at helping prisoners manage problems by changing the way they think and behave and by breaking problems down into smaller parts. A high percentage of female prisoners are incarcerated for drug-related offences and many are dependent on substances. In addition, many women who enter prison have underlying mental health problems, often stemming from physical or sexual abuse. Many prisons do not have substance dependency or mental healthcare programmes in place and those that do exist are often inadequate. If well managed, prisons can provide a safe and secure environment for women to reduce substance dependency, recover from abusive backgrounds, and receive any treatment, counselling and mental healthcare they need, which may not otherwise be available to them. Authorities should strive to expand the trauma-informed care available to female prisoners, taking into account their past experiences and their resulting coping mechanisms. Trauma-informed approaches can also be considered during the design of prison facilities. Holistic approaches can tackle other factors that lead to offending behaviour, including poverty and social status. The Bangkok Rules are clear that prison health authorities should provide or facilitate specialised treatment programmes designed for women substance abusers, taking into account prior victimisation and the special needs of pregnant women and women with children, as well as their diverse cultural backgrounds.61 Where relevant programmes do not exist in prison, there is an increased duty on authorities to facilitate prisoners’ access to relevant programmes in the community.62 Studies have shown that women prisoners who participate in such programmes are more likely to be successfully rehabilitated.63 PROMISING PRACTICE: Working in partnership in Georgia In Georgia, PRI works with four local partner organisations to deliver rehabilitation and support services to women prisoners (and their children) who have experienced violence and discrimination. The project was established to empower and improve the situation of women offenders through better access to psychosocial, legal and medical support services and to rehabilitation and protection. 24 | The range of interventions is designed to break the chain of violence and inequality experienced by women prisoners, which can begin prior to their offending and continue post-release. The project seeks to address the trauma and consequences of violence and provide holistic support so that the women are resilient and empowered to lead self-sufficient, law-abiding lives after their release. Penal Reform International and Thailand Institute of Justice | Guide to the rehabilitation and social reintegration of women prisoners