The Bangkok Rules 48 PART IV RESEARCH, PLANNING, EVALUATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS-RAISING Rules 67-68 These Rules recognize the limited information available on women in the criminal justice system worldwide, which hinders the development of effective policies and implementation of programmes to respond to women offenders’ needs fairly and effectively. The utilization of research as a basis for an informed policy formulation in responding to the gender specific circumstances and needs of woman offenders is an important mechanism for keeping practices abreast of advances in knowledge and the continuing development and effectiveness of the criminal justice system in both delivering justice and enabling the social reintegration of woman offenders, and avoiding as far as possible the negative impact of women’s confrontation with the criminal justice system on their children. The research should be based no accurate data collection, and where this poses challenges, should seek means to improve data collection methods, as well as harmonisation of data collection. Access to information should also be improved based on principles of transparency and in order to make the widest possible use of available data. Rule 69 The process of planning should particularly emphasize a more effective and equitable system for the delivery of necessary services in prisons and in the community, as relevant to women offenders. Towards that end, there should be a comprehensive and regular assessment of the wide-ranging, particular needs and problems of women offenders and their children and an identification of clear-cut priorities. In that connection, there should also be a coordination in the use of existing resources, including alternatives and community support that would be suitable in setting up specific procedures designed to implement and monitor established programmes. Rule 70 This Rule recognizes the limited nature of reliable data and public awareness on women offenders worldwide, the impact of imprisonment on their children, as well as the important role played by information sharing on research outcomes and good practices in the effectiveness of the delivery of justice to women offenders. It also recognizes the key role played by the media in disseminating information on matters relating to women prisoners and offenders. It also recognizes the importance of making available to the media and to those with a professional responsibility in matters concerning women reliable and up-to-date data, in order to enhance and improve the effective implementation of relevant policies and programmes, while receiving public support for them. The rule also recognises the urgent need to train relevant criminal justice officials in the provisions of these rules and sensitise them to the situation and needs of women in the criminal justice system. Criminal justice officials should be regularly informed of the outcomes of new research in order to keep them abreast of new findings and developments so that they can make informed decisions in their dealings with women offenders. ______________