Background: Objectives:

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1 Concept note Training on the Management of Women Prisoners for Senior Correctional Staff in the ASEAN Region 10 th 19 th August 2016 Thailand Institute of Justice Bangkok, Thailand Background: Despite their small share in prison population, the number of women prisoners worldwide has significantly increased at a faster rate than men over the past decade. Across the globe, women prisoners share common background which shapes their pathways to prison. Many have similar histories of abuse and trauma, substance abuse issues, mental and physical health problems and limited opportunity to education and work. Without appropriate support and gender sensitive treatment, women prisoners are at risk of re-victimization in prison settings and reoffending. The adoption of the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders also known as the Bangkok Rules by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2010 represented a major paradigm shift in women s corrections and is regarded as a significant step forward in recognizing and addressing the gender specific needs of women in criminal justice systems. The Rules take into account existing standards and norms including the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (SMR) and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules on Non-Custodial Measures (the Tokyo Rules), while incorporating elements of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Since the adoption of the Bangkok Rules, we have seen some positive efforts being made in improving domestic legislation and practices. Several forums were organized to promote the implementation of the Bangkok Rules and to exchange views and experience on good practices and challenges in implementing the Rules. This includes the East Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting on the Implementation of the Bangkok Rules, which was organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ) in February Capacity building for prison staff working with women prisoners was highlighted as a key requirement so that they are equipped with necessary knowledge and skill in applying the Rules in their routine work. Subsequently, TIJ in consultation with international practitioners and experts in the field of corrections has developed the training course on the Management of Women Prisoners for Senior Correctional Staff in the ASEAN Region towards promoting effective implementation of international standards and norms to ensure the protection of women behind bars. Objectives: The Training on the Management of Women Prisoners aims to provide guidance and practical knowledge on translating the Bangkok Rules into practice. Using an Action Plan format, the training will assist the participants in designing a framework for implementing the Bangkok Rules and other international 1

2 standards. Participants will also identify and share challenges and good practices in the treatment of women prisoners. This training is designed to create collaboration among senior correctional staff in ASEAN the region. Expected outcomes: Participants will: Understand the significance of the international standards and norms in the treatment of prisoner such as the revised Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules) and the Bangkok Rules. learn about the history, content and requirements of the Bangkok Rules and supporting human rights documents through pre-training reading and on-site training engage in information sharing about their experiences and operational practice in managing women s prisons develop a confidential self-assessment of their system s current or planned initiatives grounded in the Bangkok Rules draft and share an Action Plan for increasing compliance with the Bangkok Rules and other international standards Training dates: August 2016 (Please note that all training participants are invited to join the Southeast Asia Regional Consultation on the Implementation of the revised United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules) which will be held from 8 to 9 August 2016 in Bangkok.) Training venue: Office of the Thailand Institute of Justice Located on the 15 th Floor, GPF Building, Wireless road, Lumpini, Bangkok, Thailand (There will also be study visits to prisons and 2 overnight stays in Ayutthaya province) Target Participants: Approximately 30 participants with following criteria; Prison wardens or senior correctional staff with primary responsibility for the operation of female correctional facilities English proficiency in speaking and listening Minimum 10 years of professional experience in the management of offenders Language: English will be used throughout the training Registration Fee: There is no registration fee. The training course is sponsored by the Thailand Institute of Justice. Sponsorship: TIJ will provide sponsorship for two participants from each ASEAN member country. Additional participants must be sponsored by their organization or otherwise self-sponsored. We also welcome prison wardens and senior correctional staff from non-asean countries to apply. Limited sponsorship is available for those with relevant background and strong interest in the management of women prisoners. 2

3 TIJ sponsorship includes economy class return flight and hotel accommodation from 7-20 August Training approach and the role of participants: An interactive training approach including the use of multimedia, lectures, presentations, facilitated discussions, group work, and study visits to Thai prisons will be used in this training. Participants are encouraged to actively participate in all training sessions. Also, participants are requested to gather statistic data on prison populations and information about their prison system to share in the training. Participants are also invited to deliver a short presentation (approximately minutes) about current correctional practices in their country on the topic related to one of the training modules (see the list of modules below), and may volunteer to discuss their Action Plan at the close of the training course. Contents of Training: We have designed an engaging and interactive training program to support participants in understanding the international standards regarding the treatment of women offenders and provide a framework for learning, discussing and sharing common concerns and successes. In addition to lectures and discussions surrounding the Rules, interactive and other hands-on activities will guide each country team in examining their system through the Bangkok Rules. Participants will also have an opportunity to visit women prisons in Thailand that have implemented some aspects of the Rules. A guided self-assessment process of their levels of compliance will lead to the development of an Action Plan which will assist participants in implementing some aspects of the Bangkok Rules in their own system. Details of training modules are as follows: Module 1: Gender sensitive prison management Gender sensitive prison management approach Typical background of women prisoners The impact of imprisonment on women The types of discrimination women prisoners experience Measures to eliminate discrimination against women prisoners Module 2: Allocation, admission and classification Allocation close to family The rights of the prisoners in admission procedures Registration of women prisoners Comprehensive and gender-sensitive assessment and classification Module 3: Hygiene and health care: general A whole prison approach to healthcare Health screening on admission Screening for ill-treatment and torture, including sexual violence 3

4 Gender specific healthcare Medical confidentiality Special hygiene requirements of women Module 4: Healthcare: special healthcare issues Mental healthcare Suicide and self-harm prevention Substance dependence treatment HIV prevention, treatment, care and support Module 5: The safety of women prisoners Separation of categories and supplementary measures Supervision of women and prohibition of sexual harassment and abuse Independent complaints mechanisms Module 6: Security and order in women s prisons Appropriate security levels in women s prisons Discipline and order Prisoner searches Instruments of restraints Punishments Module 7: Contact with the outside world Contact with family members: letters and visits Access to legal assistance: contact with lawyer Contact with representatives / organizations of civil society Access to newspapers, television and radio Module 8: Prisoner rehabilitation: activities and programs Individualization and cooperation with community organizations A balanced and flexible program of activities in women s prisons Education, work, vocational training, sports and recreation Module 9: Pregnant women, mothers and dependent children in prison Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and mothers with children in prison Children staying with their mothers in prison The treatment of children living with their mothers in prison Module 10: Special categories Pre-trial detainees / girls / foreign nationals / minorities and indigenous people 4

5 Module 11: Preparation for release Social reintegration: policies and programs / family links Role of community services, probation services and NGOs Module 12: Working with women prisoners: prison staff Recruitment and selection Capacity building Protecting women staff from abuse and sexual harassment Working conditions and remuneration Contact person: Ms. Jane Holloway Programme Manager jholloway.tij@gmail.com Telephone: +66 (0) ****************************************** 5