Women and Prison: an Assessment of Gender Policies in the Field of Criminal Enforcement in Catalonia

Abstract

The criminal justice system, the criminal enforcement system and the prison system are realities built from an androcentric perspective. The fact that only a small part of the crimes that are prosecuted and sentenced have been committed by women places them in a minority position in the enforcement system, which means they have less access to resources and services. This paper aims to analyse what strategies have been undertaken in recent years in order to introduce gender-based transformations in criminal enforcement in Catalonia and to determine what challenges remain. Firstly, we present quantitative and qualitative data relating to the population of women in prison. We then analyse how the passing of new legislation aimed at recognising and extending the principle of equality and non-discrimination in Catalonia impacts criminal enforcement, favouring the deployment of initiatives such as the creation of gender referents for penitentiary centres and specific programmes for women in prison. After reviewing some interesting initiatives promoted from outside the Catalan territory, the paper concludes with six proposals aimed at improving the situation of women who come in contact with the criminal enforcement system and at introducing a gender perspective in the penitentiary system.

Keywords

• women
• prison
• victimisation
• criminal enforcement