The report calls on Member States to consider the special needs of women during the modernisation of their correctional system.
Women constitute an average of 5% of the total prison population in Europe (from under 3% in Poland to nearly 8% in Spain). More than half have at least one child. In her report on the situation of women in prison and the impact of the imprisonment of parents on social and family life, Marie Panayotopoulos MEP, expresses a set of recommendations to Member States concerning conditions in prison, maintaining of family ties, and social and professional reintegration. The report also asks Member States to adopt a comprehensive prison health policy in particular in what concerns physical and mental disorders and addictions.
Press release: Women in prison. Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality adopts report by Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP
Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality
EPP-ED site on Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality
Press information: Special needs of women prisoners