Women in Prison - The Real Story

Women's Prisons

There are 18 prisons in England and Wales which hold women prisoners. Not all are women's prisons - some hold women and men, but they do not have contact with one another. Three of the women's prisons are 'open' prisons. Only women who are not regarded as a threat to public safety or a real escape risk are sent to the open prisons where security is less stringent and women are often able to work outside the prison. There is one women's prison in Scotland. Only six of the women's prisons take women who are waiting on remand - days, weeks or months - to be dealt with at court.

Women's prisons vary from Victorian style prison wings like Larkhall to modern cabin-style accommodation. Two of the open prisons have been converted from old country houses, with some added wings and buildings.

There are plans to open two new prisons for women, which will provide an extra 810 places

For further information on the issues covered in this section, please visit The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies website.

© 2008 Shed Productions. All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer