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Current Global Female Prison Population

In excess of 733,000 women and girls are detained in penal institutions internationally, according to recent research studies. This figure includes both pre-trial detainees and those who have been convicted and sentenced. Researchers estimate the actual total is significantly higher due to missing information from numerous nations.

Female inmates generally account for a small minority of overall inmate numbers – commonly between 2-9% on average. As of now, women and girls comprise approximately 6.8% of the global prison population. Nonetheless, their numbers are increasing at a quicker pace than male prisoners.

Over the past two decades, the incarcerated females in prison has increased by almost three-fifths – nearly thrice the growth observed in the incarcerated male demographic. The global female prison population increased by more than 100,000 individuals during the decade-long span ending in 2020.

Primary Drivers Behind the Increase

Women's lawbreaking are often associated with economic hardship and usually serve as a means of survival to care for their dependents.

Detailed analysis has found that legislation frequently penalizes acts of survival and that women are disproportionately affected because they are over-represented among the lowest economic brackets of society. In numerous countries, laws prohibiting abortion, adultery, sexual misconduct and prostitution almost exclusively affect women. The probability of getting a prison sentence is often also related to poverty and the lack of resources for fines for petty offenses or to obtain release.

Nations with the Largest Women Inmate Numbers

The United States has the highest count of female prisoners with 174,607. China ranks second with 145,000, plus an undetermined count of women and girls in awaiting trial custody and "administrative detention". Further substantial contributors include Brazil (50,441), Russia (39,153), Thailand (33,057), India (23,772), the Philippines (17,121), Turkey (16,581), Vietnam (15,152), Mexico (13,841) and Indonesia (13,044).

In Britain, there are 3,566 women in prison – representing 4% of the total prison population. Projections indicate these numbers are expected to rise to 4,200 by 2027. Across Europe, 94,472 women are currently detained, while Australia reports 3,473 women in prison, representing approximately 8% of its total prison population.

States with Substantial Rises in Women Inmate Numbers

Although including standard demographic increases over the previous two-and-a-half decades, the rise in the number of female prisoners per 100,000 people continues to demonstrate a remarkable increase. These two nations have experienced more than sixfold increases, while Turkey and Indonesia have seen growth exceeding 500%.

Incarcerated Women Facing Execution

Recent estimates indicate there are between 500 and 1,000 women on death row in at least 42 countries worldwide.

The nations that put to death the most women are likewise the states that execute the most people in general, including China, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Based on latest reports, an unknown number of women were executed in China, while two received death sentences in Egypt, 30 in Iran, one in Iraq, nine in Saudi Arabia and two in Yemen.

Unreliable information is available for countries that execute the most or for additional countries including North Korea, Vietnam and Qatar. Nevertheless, analysis is accessible regarding 15 other countries with the largest quantities of women on death row.

The two primary crimes for which women are receiving execution orders are murder and drug trafficking. Countries with compulsory capital punishment for murder, or that do not recognize gender-based violence as reducing factors, are inclined to display increased quantities of women on death row and additional capital punishments.

Additionally, countries that severely criminalize drug trafficking, such as those in the Arabian Peninsula and Asian southeast, have a substantial ratio of women on death row.

Fitness of Incarceration for Females

Various professionals and campaigners contend that prison is inappropriate penalty for a substantial percentage of women who violate regulations. The majority are imprisoned for non-violent crimes; in Britain, for example, 72% of female prison admissions in 2020 fit this category. Women often encounter a "revolving door" of brief incarceration periods – insufficiently long to participate in meaningful education, training or work opportunities.

Up to 80% of women in prison worldwide have an diagnosable psychological condition. In Europe, self-destruction numbers for women in prison are nine times higher than for the overall public, according to the World Health Organization.

In answer to rising numbers of incarcerated women and a deficiency of regulations addressing their requirements, the UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners (known as the Bangkok Rules) were approved by the UN General Assembly in December 2010. These rules require nations to create alternative punishments and to provide women-specific consideration in prisons.

Children of Female Prisoners

An estimated 19,000 children live in prison with a parent, most often their mother, while significantly more children are apart from their mothers. Approximately 1.45 million children worldwide have a imprisoned parent.

In addition to the evident parting and connected hardship that a prison sentence can cause, it is quite common for a woman to lose custody of her children after just a limited duration in prison.

Various states allow for babies and young children to remain in correctional facilities with their mothers up to a particular maturity level. Nonetheless, a early life in correctional facilities can damage a child both bodily and psychologically.