Female prisoners subject to ‘severe verbal abuse’

A report published by the Human Rights Commission has revealed that women prisoners have been subject to “severe verbal abuse” when they have been transported alongside male prisoners.

The report called ‘The Prison Within: the imprisonment of women at Hydebank Wood 2004-2006’ documents the daily routine of women prisoners and finds that they are subject to long periods of lock-up and have difficulties in maintaining contact with their families – especially children.

It also revealed they have few opportunities for work and education.

Dr Linda Moore added: “We were disturbed to find that women and girls are still being transported in vans along with male prisoners, and often subjected to severe verbal abuse during journeys to and from court.

“This goes completely against human rights standards.”

She continued: “We are also concerned about the routine strip-searching of women entering the prison. Women told us how degraded and humiliated they felt having to remove all clothes as their first experience of prison.”

Dr Moore says she believes strip-searching should be kept to a minimum, and only used when there is an individual risk assessment that demonstrates it is necessary for safety or security reasons.

(JM)