Photo credit: www.theguardian.com
According to a recent report from HM Inspector of Prisons, women incarcerated in England are increasingly turning to self-harm due to significant deficiencies in essential services, including limited opportunities to communicate with their children and restrictions on the use of washing machines for personal items. The report highlights the overwhelming emotional and logistical challenges faced by these women within the prison system.
A survey focusing on female prisoners indicated that many feel overwhelmed by the daily frustrations of prison life, which, coupled with inadequate support, leads some to inflict harm on themselves. The report revealed that a third of respondents did not receive any face-to-face visits from family members, considerably hampering their ability to maintain essential connections with loved ones.
The inspectors noted a troubling “basic lack of decency” in the treatment of female prisoners, pointing out that they were often issued ill-fitting male clothing. Furthermore, an unusual rule prohibited these women from utilizing washing machines for their underwear, forcing them to wash personal items by hand in their cells. This practice raises significant hygiene concerns, as articulated by one inmate who described using the same bowl for multiple purposes, including shaving and washing.
Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector, voiced his disappointment, emphasizing that the report underscores a critical failure to provide necessary care and support that could help women manage their daily circumstances, which, for some, is a direct catalyst for self-harm.
There are currently over 3,600 women in prisons across England, housed in twelve different facilities, with more than half being mothers to children under the age of 18. An alarming finding is that in three out of the four prisons surveyed, about a third of the incarcerated women were located more than 50 miles from their homes, making it difficult for families to visit. None of these facilities provide transportation to nearby transport stations, leaving families, many of whom cannot afford taxi fare, with few options and limited visiting hours.
While secure video calls are accessible in all four surveyed sites, frustrations persist over the stringent limitation of just one call per month. The report criticized the lack of creative uses for these calls, such as allowing mothers to read bedtime stories to their children or attend important family events like parents’ evenings.
The mental health concerns of these women are underscored by the finding that 84% reported feeling unable to cope at some point during their incarceration. The report asserts that the needs of women in prison exceed the capabilities of the existing prison staff and environmental support.
Another troubling element of the report is the finding that none of the surveyed prisons provided adequate women’s clothing. In one instance, shoes were unavailable in the commonly needed sizes four to six. The lack of necessary clothing designed specifically for women was described as astonishing by the inspectors.
The rate of self-harm incidents among women in prison is alarmingly high, standing at 5,785 incidents per 1,000 prisoners, which is more than eight times the rate reported in men’s prisons, where it averages 664 incidents per 1,000 prisoners.
In light of these findings, Prisons Minister Lord Timpson indicated last month that the government is committed to reversing the trend of increasing incarceration rates among women. He mentioned the possibility of utilizing electronic tagging and rehabilitation programs as alternatives to imprisonment for many female offenders.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood characterized the report as both “shocking” and a “wake-up call” for the justice system, emphasizing the urgent need to reform practices. As part of the new Plan for Change aimed at enhancing public safety, a women’s justice board has been established to focus on reducing the number of women in prison while improving support for those who remain incarcerated.
Source
www.theguardian.com