Health, safety, family … in prison, women’s rights violated – L’Express

The male / female equality is still progress to be made, especially in prison. The Controller of places of deprivation of liberty (CGLPL), Adeline Hazan, released on Thursday a damning report on the discrimination suffered by women locked. They only represent 3.2% of the total held in France, 5% to 6% of the population of detention centers, 6% of miners closed educational establishments and 38.21% of patients admitted in establishing Mental Health.

Controller, the study also covers the police, said at a press conference that “the principle of equality is absolutely not done in detention centers and finding represents a violation of human rights of these women. ” It requires rapid changes in their management and introducing more diversity.

A geographical inequality

The probability that a detained finds himself far from his family during his incarceration is much more important than her male counterparts. Less than a third of the 188 prisons accommodate women, and of those 56 buildings, mostly located in the north of France, only two are women-only prisons: Rennes and Fleury-Merogis.

“Because of this unbalanced territorial coverage, women are often far from their families, which violates their right to maintain family ties. This also feeds the female quarters of overcrowding” stresses Adeline Hazan, which recommends opening a “detention center” area for women in the south.

Mixed Major and minor

Often, minor rub major held, despite the requirement of the law to house them in separate units. This mixture for lack of space is also observed between the newcomers, those already considered and inmates described as “vulnerable”, which should be segregated. This home is also a problem in detention centers (CRA), psychiatric institutions and for the reception of minors.

Priority men

Women have limited access to sentence adjustment. Only 64 parole seats reserved for them against 1,048 for men. The law banning incarcerated women to mix with male inmates, Adeline Hazan also observed that they often find themselves with limited access to infrastructure: sports grounds, libraries, social and cultural areas …

“D in general, sums Adeline Hazan, the CGLPL see that the facilities for women are often smaller than men, the least numerous and most basic amenities stakeholders “.

Sanitary deficiencies

But the problem is especially sanitary, since due to the proximity with men, access to areas hygiene is also restricted them. The inmates do not consistently have gynecological care and do not always are offered specific hygiene products.

A defective safety

The security measures would also be “detrimental” to the dignity of detainees. They are routinely remove their bra during police custody and gynecological exams often practice with their handcuffs and supervisory presence, contrary to law. Adeline Hazan also tells the story of a woman who, in January, “delivered in the presence of a supervisor on the grounds that the room was not secure enough, because it was a window.”

The notice sent to the Ministries of Justice, Interior and Social Affairs and Health, was published Thursday in the Official Journal.