A situation of imprisoned women during the interwar period

Abstract

The first legal document that introduced a distinction of treatment between imprisoned men and women was created during the interwar period. At that time, the need to differentiate the execution of the penalty methods between men and women was emphasized. This particular period initiated the beginning of formulating separate regulations related to the issue of imprisoned women. At first, they were treated as a homogeneous population. However, after some time, the need for alternative treatment of female prisoners, especially pregnant and breastfeeding, was noticed. Gradually, taking into account gender differences in the penitentiary interactions, slow evolution was taking place, especially in the context of disciplinary punishment, locating in prison cells, employment, board or permitted clothing. The solutions adopted at that time are considered to be the foundations of today’s Polish prison system. The aim of this article is to illustrate the living conditions of women imprisoned in Polish prisons in years 1918–1939.

Keywords

• dwudziestolecie międzywojenne
• uwięzione kobiety
• odrębność traktowania uwięzionych kobiet
• oddziaływania penitencjarne wobec kobiet