Woman Prison

Women In Prison:
An Overview and How New Life Can Help
The issue of women in prison is a pressing concern for socio-economic policymakers and human rights watchers. The amount of women incarcerated around the world has increased and India is no exception. As a non-governmental organization committed to bettering the socio-economic status of women and children in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, New Life is actively involved in the rights of women inmates.
Men and women face different requirements when incarcerated. One of the main differences involves children. Many imprisoned women are either the sole or main caregiver of children in the household. The social ramifications of the mother in prison are serious as it contradicts the traditional role of mother and caretaker for the family. There is no standard policy for the treatment of children in prisons while their parent is incarcerated. The children are not delinquent themselves, but are in the prison solely because their mother is an inmate. State laws determine the length of time the children can remain in the facility with their parent. Children are allowed to stay in the prison from between the ages of two to six years depending on the laws of the state. In Tamil Nadu, a child is allowed to remain in the prison until six years of age. Proper socialization is a main concern for children of inmates. Children are adversely affected by the lack of exposure to the outside world and education.
Prisons treat inmates according to their security classification. This allows for decisions to be made regarding visitation rights, work programs, leave from prison, and other policies. While this may appear to keep the situation orderly, the security classifications as they apply to women can be discriminatory. Three important ways that security classifications discriminate against women are: not classifying inmates so that large groups are accommodated together; housing inmates at a higher classification than their actual level; and, basing a risk assessment of the inmate on their socio-economic status.
Women inmates are affected by their socio-economic status. Poverty plays a key role in the offences and imprisonment of women. It should be stated that there are instances of women committing violent crime. However, with regard to petty offences, many women are unable to pay the fines or post bail and end up in prison.
New Life has worked on women prisoners’ issues since 1997. Key issues for the organization include the over-incarceration of women, children of imprisoned women, accommodation issues, education and work programs, women prisoners with a history of abuse, indigenous/minority women prisoners. Through its programs, New Life is working to foster an awareness of legal and human rights for women prisoners. Counselling programs have been developed with other organizations to educate women on their legal and human rights. Other initiatives are literacy and education programs and supplying hygiene kits to senior inmates at Trichy Central Prison.
While the United Nations has established human rights legislation regarding the treatment of prisoners, special attention must be given to the unique needs of women. New Life takes an active role in improving the conditions of women and children. This article is created by Lisa.