Women Offenders
Statistics
The female inmate population has increased by 101% between 1994 and 2004, in comparison to a 40% increase in the male prison population. The percentage of female remand inmates has also increased, rising from 15% to 25% from 1993 to 2003, while male remand numbers increased from 12% to 20% during the same period. The increase in the incarceration rate of women is also being experienced internationally. Overall, women offenders represent approximately 7% of the total number of people incarcerated in New South Wales.
Characteristics
Despite representing only a small proportion of the overall imprisoned population, women experience higher levels of substance abuse and drug related offending than males; higher rates of infection with blood borne viruses; higher rates of mental illness and self harm; and higher reported rates of past childhood and adulthood abuse. Women also face unique needs in the area of motherhood, often being the primary carers for their children. There is a general consensus that the needs of women in the criminal justice system are different from, greater than, and more complex than those of men.
Co-occurring disorders, or dual diagnoses, have come to be recognised as a significant issue for correctional systems as the prevalence of mental disorders has been found to be higher in the prison population than the general population. This is especially so for women offenders.
Correctional systems struggle to manage such a population and have recently recognised a need for focused efforts on appropriately designed treatment programs/interventions for this high need group, such as the Biyani Program (see below).
Sentence Length
The majority of female offenders are either serving short sentences of less than three months or are on remand. This makes case management, program delivery and Throughcare especially challenging. Statistics generated by the NSW Department of Corrective Services Corporate Research, Evaluation and Statistics Branch state that 37.3% of female offenders serve sentences less than three months while 62.9% serve sentences less than six months. Taking into account what is an often a lengthy remand period, the opportunity for intense intervention is small.
Dillwynia
Dillwynia Correctional Centre is New South Wales's first purpose built women's facility and was constructed to meet the demands of an increasing women's prison population.
The Centre has a focus on vocational training, rehabilitative programming and preparation for release and reintegration into the community. Located in Windsor, the 200 beds Centre opened in October 2004 and has been likened to a University Campus featuring domestic-style living units to promote respect and responsibility among inmates. The design and environment of Dillwynia's visiting area reflects best practice in reducing the impact of incarceration on both mothers and visiting children/family. The visiting area also houses a fully functioning Gloria Jeans Coffee shop staffed by trained offenders. Additional employment is available at the Centre, and employment options are linked to vocational training accredited through TAFE NSW, which can be continued after release into the community.
Biyani
The Biyani Program was developed as a result of the New South Wales' Department of Corrective Services' Women's Action Plan 2, which outlined a commitment by the Department to explore innovative alternatives to incarceration for women.
Biyani has been designed to provide a programmed pathway for women offenders with a mental health disorder or mild intellectual disability, and co-existing alcohol and drug problems. The program acts as an alternative to a custodial sentence.
The main focus of the program is to provide accommodation and support to stabilise mental health and drug and alcohol issues, and to assist women in gaining access to long-term residential rehabilitation programs or appropriate community rehabilitation resources.
Potential program participants are women offenders who are at a correctional centre on remand at pre-sentence stage, or women who have breached their parole and are to be released to serve the balance of parole.
Downloads
- Summary of Proceedings from 5th National CSAC Conference (pdf 203 kb)
- Women's Action Plan 2 (pdf 323 kb)
- NSW Government Action Plan for Women 2003-2005 (pdf 882 kb)
- NSW Office for Women