Women in Corrections: Global event marks 15 years of the Bangkok Rules

The first-ever Women in Corrections Conference celebrated 15 years of the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders. The occasion united 360 delegates from 56 countries in Bangkok, including a representative from IPS_Innovative Prison Systems.

Currently, more than 740,000 women and girls and growing are held in prisons worldwide, representing nearly 7% of the global population in prison. Often they are more likely than men to be serving short sentences of less than 12 months, and they face unique challenges. A significant number report histories of intimate partner violence and other types of violence and trauma.

This knowledge highlights the growing number of women involved in the criminal justice system and underscores the need for gender-mindful policies and support systems to address the specific circumstances of women implicated in corrections.

The inaugural Women in Corrections Conference sparked essential discussions on the specific challenges women bring to and experience in the criminal justice system and the need for gender-specific services for women involved in the justice system worldwide.

Celebrating 15 years of the Bangkok Rules

The Women in Corrections Conference, held in 19-21 February 2025, commemorated the 15th anniversary of the Bangkok Rules – the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders.

Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010, the Bangkok Rules represent a landmark framework for ensuring the humane and dignified treatment of women under supervision or custody of legal systems.

The Bangkok Rules complement frameworks like the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, ensuring that all provisions apply to individuals implicated in the criminal justice system without discrimination. These Rules cover the general management of institutions and are applicable to all categories of women deprived of their liberty, including those held under criminal or civil charges, untried or convicted, as well as women subject to security or corrective measures ordered by a judge.

Different sections of the Bangkok Rules specify guidelines for special groups, emphasizing the need for separate strategies in line with international standards, to avoid institutionalisation whenever possible and address non-custodial measures and the importance of research, planning, evaluation, public awareness, and information sharing.

Learn more about the Bangkok Rules.

Representing IPS and Portugal on the global stage

IPS_Innovative Prison Systems was represented at this historic event by Sílvia Bernardo, our PhD Fellow who is researching older women in prison in Portugal. She was the only delegate from Portugal at this symbolic event and presented her poster titled “Older Women in Prison: Vulnerabilities and Invisibilities at the Age-Gender Intersection“. Her research contributes to the growing understanding of the compounded vulnerabilities faced by older women in prison, emphasizing the importance of gender- and age-sensitive policies and practice.

Keynote and plenary sessions

The Conference opened with a keynote speech by Stephanie Covington, co-director of the Center for Gender & Justice, USA, titled “Why Gender Matters: Creating Trauma Services for Justice-Involved Women.” Her thought-provoking address set the stage for the conference’s dialogue around transforming organisations and creating services from gender-informed to gender-responsive to gender-specific approaches, services and programmes.

Plenary sessions were particularly impactful, including explorations of women’s leadership in corrections and powerful accounts of lived experiences from women who have been in prison, specifically from the United States, Uganda, and the Philippines. These narratives offered unique perspectives on resilience and the need for justice systems to adopt gender-specific approaches.

Explore the Women in Corrections Conference programme.

Diverse and thought-provoking parallel sessions

The Conference programme featured numerous parallel sessions, each offering valuable insights into the complex realities of women in corrections. Delegates faced the challenge of selecting from a wide range of workshops and talks, including but no limited to:

“What works” for women: Evidence-based approaches to rehabilitation and reintegration.
Custody complexities and global approaches: Examining international trends in women’s imprisonment.
Organisational change: Strategies for implementing gender-informed/responsive/specific practices within prison and probation institutions.
Transgender policy and practice: Addressing the needs of transgender individuals in correctional settings.
Health in prison: Discussions on improving healthcare for women in custody, including women’s health and pregnancy.
Staffing and gender-responsive practices: Enhancing the recruitment, training, and support of correctional staff to better serve women in their care and custody.

Visits to correctional institutions in Thailand

The event concluded, on February 21, 2025, with visits to correctional institutions in Thailand. These visits provided delegates with firsthand insights into the Thai correctional system’s practices and approaches to women in their care and custody, enriching the global exchange of ideas and best practices.

A platform for progress and global collaboration on gender-specific approaches in corrections globally

The Women in Corrections Conference proved to be an exceptional opportunity to materialise progress and explore diverse global insights on how justice systems can meet the unique needs and potential of women involved in corrections, whether in custody or within the community. The event emphasized the importance of gender-specific services and policies and highlighted the critical role of the Bangkok Rules in guiding humane and dignified practices.

The Women in Corrections Conference was organised by the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) and the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), and took place at the TIJ Headquarters, next to Thailand’s Ministry of Justice, in Bangkok. The modern and inspiring venue provided the perfect setting for participants to exchange ideas and foster collaborations.

Looking ahead: continuing the momentum for gender-specific justice globally

At the closing session there has been a hint that this landmark conference may continue as a recurring event, potentially with the next edition being organized in a Latin American country. This possibility reflects the growing momentum for international collaboration and the ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality within correctional systems worldwide.

IPS is honoured to have been part of this milestone event, contributing to the ongoing dialogue on gender-responsive and gender-specific Justice. We look forward to continuing our work in this field and supporting initiatives that promote dignity, fairness, and equal opportunities for all women in the criminal justice system.