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Female prisons are often discussed far less than male correctional facilities, yet they can be among the most dangerous places in the global penal system. In many countries, women’s prisons suffer from the same systemic problems seen elsewhere in incarceration, including overcrowding, understaffing, corruption, violence, and poor medical care. However, women’s prisons also present unique risks tied to gender-specific health needs, pregnancy, trauma histories, and the treatment of mothers separated from children. When these factors combine, the result can be an environment where safety, dignity, and rehabilitation are all severely compromised.
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00:00Many female detention centers in the world are plagued with several problems ranging
00:03from violence to overcrowding, as well as other deplorable conditions.
00:07Some are so dangerous that one could argue that they are not fit for humans.
00:10Within the walls of these prisons live a large number of women, most of whom have been denied
00:14their basic human rights.
00:16Tadmur Prison, Syria.
00:17Inside the grim confines of Tadmur Prison in Syria, prisoners grew accustomed to a haunting
00:22mantra that reverberated through its oppressive walls.
00:24The saying went like this, here in this prison, Hafez al-Assad banned God.
00:28The guards say, we are God, your life and death are under our control.
00:32This chilling phrase encapsulated the prevailing doctrine not only within the confines of Tadmur
00:37Prison in Palmyra, but more broadly, across Syrian penitentiaries, especially when it
00:42came to political detainees.
00:44This harrowing narrative was traced back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, when a formidable
00:49political movement emerged, led by the Muslim Brotherhood and left-wing factions in staunch
00:54opposition to the Ba'athist regime.
00:56In the wake of this burgeoning opposition, the Syrian regime orchestrated an extensive
01:00wave of arrests, ensnaring anyone remotely associated with these dissenting groups.
01:05The tales of inhumane practices and calculated torture at the hands of Syrian intelligence
01:10agencies became infamous across the nation's prison system, and Tadmur Prison and Sednaya
01:15Prison in Damascus took the lead in these horrific accounts.
01:18These brutal tactics sowed seeds of fear and dread throughout Syria, transforming the nation
01:23into a police state ruled by unrelenting security officials.
01:27Leading the charge were ruthless officers, vested with boundless authority and devoid of
01:31any sense of accountability.
01:32Even the women of Syria were not spared from this reign of terror, as they too found themselves
01:37ensnared in the web of security prosecution and detention.
01:40In the 1980s, numerous female members of the Community Action League, who had actively participated
01:45in the opposition movement, were subjected to relentless interrogation, imprisonment and
01:50subjected to unspeakable physical and psychological torment.
01:53These courageous women were met with lengthy prison sentences, merely for their political affiliations.
01:58In a disturbing twist, as a ploy to exert pressure on members of the Muslim Brotherhood, authorities
02:03resorted to arresting their wives and female relatives, often fabricating charges of belonging
02:08to the outlawed Islamist organization.
02:10The nightmarish ordeal for the detained women commenced within the confines of one of the
02:14state's dreaded facilities, Tadmor Prison, and this marked the most harrowing stage of
02:18this gruesome process.
02:19Female detainees found themselves locked away in solitary confinement or paired with another
02:24woman, thrust into a nightmarish realm where they were subjected to a grotesque array of
02:28indignities and physical torture.
02:30They endured savage beatings, administered with sticks and cables, electric shocks that
02:35seared through their bodies, and horrifying methods such as the Al-Shaba, where prisoners
02:39were shackled and suspended from the ceiling.
02:41In the darkest depths of this torment, some faced the ultimate violation, enduring sexual assaults
02:47in full view of their horrified relatives, all with the twisted intent of extracting confessions.
02:52These brutalities, however, transcended the realm of physical pain.
02:56Psychological torment was wielded as a potent weapon, as detainees were coerced through threats
03:01of further brutality.
03:02These unfortunate individuals became tools of pressure on their husbands and family members,
03:07as security forces sought to force them to surrender.
03:10In other heart-wrenching scenarios, detainees were compelled to fabricate false confessions
03:15under the threat of witnessing their loved ones subjected to torture.
03:18Following this agonizing ordeal, they were confronted with two stark choices.
03:23Either they were released from captivity, or they were cast into the legal quagmire,
03:27facing trials and the possibility of relocation to civilian prisons.
03:30Within the unforgiving confines of these civilian prisons, they were thrown in alongside
03:35female convicts, facing charges of prostitution, drug offences and other criminal allegations.
03:40Here, once again, they found themselves at the mercy of a system that subjected them to an
03:45unending torrent of abuse and harassment, perpetuating their agonizing journey through
03:49the abyss of Syria's prison system.
03:51To this day, Tadmor Prison stands as a reminder of the dark history of female incarceration.
03:56Bakyakoy Women's Prison, Turkey
03:58Established in 2008, Bakyakoy Women's Closed Penitentiary stands as a state-run correctional
04:04facility located in Istanbul, Turkey.
04:06This institution serves as a home for a maximum of 912 female prisoners, including detainees and
04:13juveniles. As of March 2017, the prison inmate population was revealed to consist of 900 women
04:19comprising both local and foreign inmates, alongside 56 children aged 0 to 6 who reside with their
04:25incarcerated mothers. The prison complex sprawls over a substantial area of over 34,000 square meters,
04:30encircled by imposing walls fortified with 1m high barbed wire, dual rows of razor wire and motion
04:37sensors. Furthermore, the prison building's roof periphery is adorned with razor wire.
04:42Guard boxes dot the area surrounding the prison, while an underground diaphragm wall acts as an
04:47additional physical barrier within the yard, separating the prison building from its outer walls.
04:51Inner security is meticulously maintained by a team of prison wardens and supervisory officials
04:57working in four rotating shifts. Separate gates exist for prisoners and goods, and official inmate
05:02counts occur twice daily under the watchful eye of the deputy director on duty. The exercise yards are
05:08accessible starting at 7 o'clock a.m., and closure depends on weather conditions. Visitors to the
05:12inmates are subject to thorough scrutiny via full-body scanners upon entry. Stringent surveillance measures
05:18extend to all outgoing and incoming mail, telegraphs, faxes, as well as a careful examination of incoming
05:24books, periodicals, and printed materials by the education unit. In terms of security lighting,
05:29the installation of 45 floodlight projectors atop the guard towers and an additional 15 projectors
05:35on the enclosing walls ensures vigilant monitoring within and around the facility. All these features
05:40seemingly resemble standard prison conditions, but therein lies a deeply rooted issue, one tainted by
05:46corruption and moral decay. Regrettably, the Nationalist Movement Party and the Justice and Development
05:51Party, also known as AKP-MHP, both branches of the Turkish government have garnered notoriety for
05:57systematically subjecting prisoners to various forms of torture. Political female detainees within
06:01Bakyakoy Women's Closed Penitentiary bear the brunt of this systematic abuse, including invasive body
06:07searches, restrictions on visits from family members, curtailment of phone privileges, sudden raids on cells,
06:12confiscation of correspondence, physical interventions, psychological coercion, and prohibitions on
06:17access to books, magazines, and newspapers. In an alarming incident on October 26, 2022, families of
06:24female prisoners at Bakyakoy Women's Closed Penitentiary were barred from visiting their incarcerated
06:29loved ones for a three-month period, citing their protest against prison rights violations.
06:34Informing families and legal representatives of female inmates about these rights infringements
06:39is met with punitive measures. Prisoners who have shared such information with their families have
06:44been subjected to prolonged visitation restrictions. Families report an escalation in pressure within the
06:49prison environment. An anonymous relative of a prisoner revealed, protests against the harsh
06:54treatment of prisoners resulted in a ban on visits for all prisoners and visitors for three months.
07:00Rights violations in the prison have reached an alarming level, including strip searches, harassment,
07:05frequent cell raids, inadequate healthcare, subpar food, limited access to hot, clean water,
07:10phone restrictions, and bans on reading materials. Disturbingly, discussing prison rights violations
07:15and sharing such information with human rights organizations is considered a crime. Many inmates
07:20who previously voiced their concerns about rights abuses in this facility have faced severe consequences
07:25for their bravery. Notably, on August 1, 2016, there was an attempted prison riot orchestrated by a
07:32faction of prisoners associated with the unlawful Revolutionary People's Liberation Party Front.
07:37During this incident, the inmates ignited fires within certain sections of the facility and caused
07:42extensive damage. Subsequently, after an inquiry led by the public prosecutor, the prison physician,
07:47the medical aide, and two female guards were apprehended on charges of inciting chaos,
07:51engaging in misconduct, and promoting unrest. Buen Pastor Women's Prison, Colombia.
07:56Renowned for its infamously harsh conditions and alarming levels of overcrowding,
08:00life within the confines of Colombian prisons is a grim reality. At the epicenter of this penal
08:05despair stands El Buen Pastor, also called the Good Shepherd, the largest and one of the most
08:10notorious women's prisons in Bogota, the capital of Colombia. Within the formidable walls of this
08:15correctional facility, an astonishing number of approximately 55,000 inmates endure their sentences.
08:22These individuals range from those convicted of minor traffic infractions to those awaiting trial for
08:26heinous crimes such as drug trafficking and even murder. The initial design of the cells was meant
08:31to accommodate two inmates each. But today, these spaces have been transformed into squalid, cramped
08:36quarters, where as many as 10 to 20 women are forced to coexist in woefully inadequate conditions,
08:42a testament to the pervasive overcrowding crisis. Corruption casts a long shadow over El Buen Pastor,
08:47infecting both inmates and prison guards alike. Yet, it's the intricate social hierarchy among the
08:52inmates that often sparks conflict and violence. Within this complex hierarchy, one of the prison's
08:57most prominent figures is Emma Urdinola Henao. Emma is not a mere inmate, she is the niece of the
09:03infamous drug lord Ivan Urdinola, who once helmed one of Colombia's most brutal drug cartels known as
09:09the Norte del Valle. Emma Henao's notoriety within the prison is a testament to her familial connections and
09:14her unapologetic embrace of her family's criminal legacy. Henao has resided in El Buen Pastor for several
09:19years serving a sentence for murder and her notoriety within the prison reached its zenith when she clinched
09:25the title in the institution's annual beauty pageant in 2012. The pervasive issues within
09:29Colombian prisons have long been a subject of concern and international scrutiny. In 1998,
09:34Colombia's own court system declared the entire prison system unconstitutional, citing systemic
09:40corruption as one of its deeply entrenched flaws. Responding to mounting pressure and in part
09:45influenced by the US war on drugs initiated in the early 2000s, Colombia embarked on a mission
09:50to construct new prisons inspired by American facilities. These initiatives were aimed at
09:55alleviating the chronic overcrowding that had become synonymous with Colombian prisons. However,
10:00despite these efforts, the penal system continues to grapple with a slew of challenges, including
10:04dilapidated infrastructure, widespread poverty among inmates, persistent violence, and the preferential
10:10treatment often afforded to crime bosses within the prison hierarchy. It's within this backdrop of
10:14grim realities that El Buen Pastor attempts to inject a modicum of humanity into the lives of its
10:19inmates. One annual tradition that stands out is the beauty pageant and parade, a brief respite from the harsh
10:25daily routines. Each of the prison's seven sectors nominates a representative and these women throw
10:30themselves into the preparations with the same zeal and dedication as contestants in the Miss Columbia
10:35or Miss Universe pageants. As the grand finale approaches, anticipation runs high and the atmosphere
10:41is filled with excitement. In the end, one lucky lady is crowned the winner, while another is bestowed
10:45with the honorable title of Miss Congeniality. However, it's crucial to remember that these snapshots of
10:51joy are juxtaposed against a harsh reality. The deplorable conditions within El Buen Pastor have been
10:57well documented, revealing overcrowding so severe that inmates are often forced to sleep on the floor,
11:02crammed into confined spaces like cattle in a pen. Bullet holes riddle the prison's walls,
11:06a stark reminder of the violence that can erupt within its confines. While the beauty pageant
11:11provides a temporary escape from the harshness of prison life, it's a mere glimmer of humanity
11:15in a system plagued by systemic problems. Inmates within El Buen Pastor continue to endure a daily
11:21struggle for dignity, safety and a chance at rehabilitation, all within a correctional system
11:26that is desperately in need of reform. Kwachak Women's Prison, Iran Kwachak Prison, the sole all-female
11:32correctional facility in Iran, is notorious for its outrageously abysmal conditions. Over 2,000 women
11:38endure deplorable circumstances within its confines. Located in the arid outskirts of eastern Tehran,
11:44it was originally an industrial chicken farm and falls significantly below international standards.
11:49Essentially, one large hall with a lofty ceiling, it lacks cells, leaving 2,000 women exposed to extreme
11:54temperatures and deprived of basic sanitation facilities. Remarkably, Kwachak Prison is utilized for
11:59internal exile, housing political detainees alongside common and dangerous criminals.
12:04This includes numerous women arrested during the November 2019 and January 2020 protests,
12:10all of whom have been denied leave. The facility is divided into 10 wards, none of which feature
12:15adequate ventilation through windows. Among these wards, a special mother's ward accommodates women
12:20with infants under two years old. The prison's capacity is far surpassed by the sheer number of
12:25inmates, a situation that jeopardizes the health and well-being of all confined. Due to the overcrowding,
12:30some prisoners are forced to sleep on the floor. Disturbingly, addicts and those infected with
12:35diseases like AIDS or hepatitis are not segregated from the general population. Kwachak Prison's woes
12:41extend to a lack of essential amenities, sewage issues, brackish water, frequent water shortages,
12:46during hot spells, inadequate healthcare and pervasive overcrowding, collectively contributing to a dire
12:52health crisis. Here, female prisoners grapple with the deprivation of three fundamental human
12:57necessities, clean water, fresh air and nutritious food. The state of Kwachak Prison reached a grim
13:03low point on June 7, 2022, when sewage overflowed in several yards, making outdoor respite impossible.
13:09This, combined with the oppressive heat and poor ventilation, attracted swarms of insects and led to
13:14respiratory difficulties among detainees. Shockingly, authorities have ignored prisoners' pleas for
13:19resolution. Even state media has highlighted Kwachak Prison's dire health conditions, exposing the lack
13:24of essential sanitary supplies, including a scarcity of dishwashing liquid in a hall shared by 120 prisoners.
13:30Vermin infest the prison with rats, salamanders, lizards and even poisonous tarantulas finding their
13:36way into cells. Lice outbreaks are combated with head shavings and washing with inadequate supplies.
13:42Diabetic prisoners suffer due to a lack of sufficient syringes, leading to the repeated use of needles for
13:47insulin injections. The prison's drinking water is salty, foul-smelling and unpleasant to taste,
13:52with the water quality rapidly deteriorating. Inmates must purchase mineral water, a cost many cannot
13:57afford. Air conditioners are frequently turned off, increasing discomfort. Mothers in the prison face
14:03additional hardships. A broken air conditioner in the mother's ward led to heat stroke among children.
14:08Frequent power outages further disrupt air conditioning. Charity aid is blocked from reaching
14:13mothers and their children, worsening the shortage of nourishment for breastfeeding mothers. Pregnant
14:17women languish without proper care or clothing. Kwachak Prison presents no accommodations for
14:22children detained with their mothers, intensifying the distressing environment. In this harrowing setting,
14:28basic human rights are forsaken and the women incarcerated here endure a daily struggle for
14:33dignity, safety and even survival. Chikurubi Maximum Prison, Zimbabwe. Chikurubi Prison, situated on the
14:40outskirts of Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, is a maximum security facility, infamous for its alleged mistreatment
14:45and human rights violations. Overcrowding and dismal sanitary conditions plague the prison,
14:50with cells measuring just nine meters by four meters, often crammed with up to 25 prisoners. This dire
14:55situation casts a shadow over the inmates' lives, drawing attention to the urgent need for reforms within the
15:01prison system. Conditions within the prison cells are described as excruciating, primarily stemming from
15:07the scarcity of essential supplies such as adequate food and blankets. Astonishingly, the prison has
15:12operated for nearly a decade without running tap water, a situation arising from outstanding debts owed
15:18to the authorities. The meagre sustenance provided includes breakfast at 8.30 a.m., lunch at 10.30 a.m.,
15:24and supper at 1.30 p.m. In 2010, food handouts were prohibited, further worsening the issue,
15:29as inmates continued to receive insufficient sustenance, resulting in tragic cases of
15:34starvation-related deaths. The prison houses both male and female prisoners, and life within
15:39the female cells mirrors the conditions faced by their male counterparts, with a notable exception
15:43in the D-class section. Here, the mentally challenged and those convicted of murder are housed together,
15:49in contrast to the male cells, where mentally challenged individuals are grouped with other inmates.
15:54Female inmates encounter a significant challenge in the scarcity of sanitary products.
15:59Despite reported donations of toiletries by various organizations, inmates assert that
16:03these products are rarely distributed. Only those who receive frequent visits from relatives
16:08manage to obtain such items. In a system of informal exchange, those who possess these products often
16:13employ others in need, referring to them euphemistically as Mabracho. Several civic organizations,
16:19such as the Female Prisoner Support Trust, have emerged to advocate for the rights and well-being of
16:24female inmates. Jailbreaks have been a recurring issue in the prison's history. The 1997 jailbreak
16:29marked the beginning of a series of such incidents. In April 2010, five inmates attempted to escape from
16:34CMSP, resulting in two convictions. In 2013, two inmates managed to escape, tragically killing a prison
16:40guard who was overseeing them. Another female inmate also successfully escaped in 2013. The situation escalated
16:47in June 2014 with several escape attempts, although most escapees were eventually recaptured. Officials
16:53from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, ZPCS, alleged that some prison guards were complicit in
16:59these escapes, accepting bribes from inmates to aid their flight. Consequently, those implicated were dismissed
17:05from their positions. Conversely, representatives from the Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and
17:10Rehabilitation of the Offender, ZACRO, contended that inmates resort to escape due to the unbearable
17:15conditions they endure within the prison system. On Friday, March 13, 2015, a violent uprising erupted
17:22as more than 900 prisoners organized a demonstration protesting the deplorable conditions, particularly
17:27inadequate food. During this tumultuous event, the prisoners set fire to the main hall, incinerating
17:32blankets and other possessions. It was speculated that their aim was to create chaos, facilitating their
17:38escape from the prison. The riot left numerous prison guards and inmates severely injured, with reports
17:43of one prisoner losing their life in a futile escape attempt. This incident highlights the profound
17:48desperation and suffering endured within the prison walls, compelling inmates to take extreme measures
17:53to draw attention to their plight. Neve Tirza Women's Prison, Israel. In Israel, the incarcerated
17:58population exceeds 20,000, but remarkably, only 1% of them are women, and these women find themselves
18:05confined in a single correctional facility, Neve Tirza. Situated in the central Israeli town of Ramla,
18:11approximately 15 miles southeast of bustling Tel Aviv, Neve Tirza has been the exclusive women's
18:16prison in Israel since its inauguration in 1968. This prison is a melting pot where women of diverse
18:22backgrounds, including Jews, Muslims and Christians, coexist within its tight quarters, each cell plagued
18:28by overcrowding. Notably, Neve Tirza has faced its share of criticism and controversy over the years.
18:34Allegations of inhumane treatment, encompassing physical abuse and inadequate medical care,
18:39have tarnished its reputation. Such conditions inevitably leave a lasting mark on the female
18:44prisoners incarcerated here, and upon reintegration into society, they often grapple with the unique
18:49stigma attached to their gender, contributing to a troubling cycle of re-offending. The overcrowding
18:54issue looms large at Neve Tirza, with as many as six inmates sharing a mere 140-square-foot cell.
19:00What's more, the majority of these inmates are mothers, and their grievances include the prison's
19:04failure to provide adequate space for quality visits with their children. A disheartening fact
19:09emerges from the stories of these women. Many of them are not just offenders, but victims themselves.
19:14Victims of sex work, survivors of drug addiction, and individuals who have endured sexual abuse,
19:19make up a significant portion of the inmate population. In response to their harrowing experiences,
19:24some inmates participate in trauma therapy groups, a small but critical step towards healing and
19:29rehabilitation. Yet, information regarding the despicable mistreatment of female inmates
19:33continued to spread like wildfire. Reports of physical abuse at the hands of prison guards
19:38have surfaced, casting a shadow on the prison's reputation. The solitary confinement wing paints
19:42an equally grim picture, with cells so minuscule that an average-sized person cannot even turn around
19:48within them. To make matters worse, these cells are infested with insects, devoid of air conditioning,
19:52and the fans are perpetually out of order. The grim history of Neve Tirza includes accusations of
19:58torture and ill-treatment. In 2003, an anti-torture group raised concerns about the treatment of
20:03inmates, citing violence, improper medical care, unwarranted isolation, and degrading strip searches
20:09that violated the prisoners' dignity. One chilling incident further underscores the prison's troubled
20:13past. Wardens forcibly entered the cells of Palestinian women prisoners, confiscating their
20:18possessions, and relocating several inmates to isolation cells. The accounts that followed were horrifying.
20:24Inmates described their limbs being tightly bound to beds with plastic restraints, causing excruciating
20:29swelling and pain. In a particularly degrading act, wardens covered the faces of some of the inmates
20:34with their veils as they remained chained to the beds, struggling to breathe. Hours later,
20:39the restraints were finally loosened, but these women were left chained to their beds in this
20:43humiliating position throughout the night. In light of these disturbing reports, the World Organization
20:48Against Torture expressed deep concerns about the physical and psychological well-being of all
20:53female prisoners at Neve Tirza. The challenges faced by inmates extend beyond the prison walls.
20:59The grim reality is that most of these women encounter significant obstacles when seeking
21:03employment after their release. In a distressing statistic, a staggering 70 percent of Neve Tirza
21:08inmates ultimately returned to prison. Fostenhall Women's Prison, England. Following a recent inspection by
21:13HM prisons officials, a women's prison in Derbyshire has garnered a dubious reputation as the most violent
21:19facility of its kind in the country. This grim assessment was accompanied by the prison receiving
21:24the lowest possible rating of poor. Fostenhall, the prison in question, is home to approximately 300
21:29women, distributed across seven units, each housing up to 60 women per unit. During the inspection,
21:35which took place between August 15, 17, 2022, alarming trends came to light. The rate of violence
21:41within the facility was shockingly high, surpassing even the levels seen in other women's prisons.
21:47While data for the preceding four months to the inspection showed a reduction in the rate of
21:51assaults against staff, there was a concerning uptick in assaults occurring between prisoners.
21:55Additionally, over 1,000 calls per month were being placed to the Samaritans by prisoners seeking
22:00support and assistance. One of the critical issues highlighted by inspectors was the inadequacy of
22:06support provided by the prison staff, leading to many former inmates being released into homelessness.
22:10Charlie Taylor, H.M. Chief Inspector of Prisons, emphasized that the case management system for
22:15individuals at risk often fell short in identifying or delivering meaningful interventions and support
22:21to address the underlying causes of distress. The troubling prevalence of violence was singled out
22:26as a particularly pressing concern, reaching the highest levels across all women's prisons.
22:31The report highlighted the imperative of delving into the root causes of this violence and taking
22:36decisive action to mitigate it. A disconcerting factor contributing to the challenges faced by the
22:41prison was the lack of trust in officers among the inmates. Women incarcerated at Foston Hall reported
22:46resorting to using the application system to report instances of bullying on the wings. This was
22:52attributed to a pervasive lack of confidence in officers' willingness or ability to address their
22:56concerns effectively. In a previous visit in 2021, inspectors had already noted a glaring issue,
23:02a shortage of deployable staff. This scarcity translated into inmates receiving fewer hours
23:07outside their cells than required, resulting in alarming rates of self-harm and escalating tensions
23:12between detainees and staff. In the most recent assessment, inspectors reported that despite a
23:17slight reduction in the rate of self-harm incidents compared to the previous inspection, the numbers
23:22remained exceptionally high, still ranking among the highest across all women's prisons. Shockingly,
23:28a total of 87 women had engaged in self-harming behaviors in the preceding eight months, with just
23:34four individuals responsible for a staggering 75% of all incidents in the three months prior to the
23:39inspection. Furthermore, the report pointed out that although the prison had implemented a strategy
23:44to enhance care, it needed to be grounded in more comprehensive data. The reasons behind self-harm by
23:49other women were not sufficiently understood and the care provided to individuals in crisis needed to
23:54adopt a more active and therapeutic approach. Within this disheartening evaluation, there was only one
23:59glimmer of positive practice noted during the inspection. Trauma-informed yoga had been introduced.
24:05This lone instance of progress amid a sea of challenges emphasizes the pressing need for
24:09comprehensive reforms within Fosten Hall to address the deeply rooted issues plaguing the facility and
24:14its residents. Julia Tutwiler, Prison for Women, USA. The Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women,
24:19situated in Wetumpka, Alabama, operates under the jurisdiction of the Alabama Department of
24:24Corrections, ADOC. This facility serves as the initial destination for all female inmates entering
24:29the ADOC system, placing it at the forefront of the state's correctional landscape. Additionally,
24:34Tutwiler houses Alabama's female death row inmates, which affords it the classification of maximum
24:40security. In terms of capacity, Tutwiler has the physical space to accommodate approximately 700
24:45prisoners, with provisions made for a death row that can hold up to four inmates. Notably, the prison
24:51also operates a clothing factory as part of its correctional programs. However, despite its intended
24:55capacity, the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women faced a significant crisis in 2003 when U.S. District Judge
25:01Myron Herbert Thompson determined that its conditions had deteriorated to the extent of violating the U.S.
25:07Constitution. At that time, it housed a staggering 992 inmates, revealing severe overcrowding and underfunding issues.
25:14The situation continued to worsen, and in 2012, the Equal Justice Initiative , a non-profit
25:20organization dedicated to providing legal representation to indigent defendants and prisoners,
25:25lodged a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice. Their complaint stemmed from interviews
25:29with over 50 women incarcerated at Tutwiler, revealing distressing evidence of pervasive and severe
25:34instances of officer-on-inmate sexual violence within the prison. By May 2013, the dire circumstances
25:41at Tutwiler had garnered national attention as the facility found itself listed among the 10 worst
25:46prisons in the United States, as reported by Mother Jones Magazine. The tipping point came on January 17,
25:522014, when the U.S. Department of Justice released a comprehensive report detailing their investigation
25:57into allegations of ongoing sexual abuse of inmates by prison guards at Tutwiler. Their findings were deeply
26:03troubling as they determined that the state of Alabama had violated the Eighth Amendment of the United
26:08States Constitution by failing to protect women prisoners at Tutwiler from harm due to sexual abuse
26:13and harassment by correctional staff. The history of Tutwiler is marred by persistent staff on prisoner
26:18sexual abuse and harassment, creating an environment of fear and vulnerability among its female
26:24inhabitants. This atmosphere is characterized by distressing occurrences, including abusive sexual
26:29contact between staff and prisoners, sexually charged activities sanctioned by staff members,
26:34inappropriate and degrading sexualized language, and deliberate cross-gender viewing of prisoners
26:39during intimate moments like showering, urinating, and defecating. Alarmingly, officials at both the Alabama
26:45Department of Corrections, ADOC, and Tutwiler exhibited a consistent pattern of indifference to the
26:50systemic causes of harm to women prisoners. Despite being repeatedly informed of these issues,
26:55they failed to take reasonable measures to safeguard those in their custody from the well-documented
27:00threat of sexual abuse and harassment. This dereliction of duty spanned over 18 years, during which officials
27:05consistently turned a blind eye to the risks faced by women prisoners. On February 2, 2016, Governor
27:12Robert J. Bentley of Alabama announced plans to close Tutwiler Prison as part of an ambitious overhaul of the
27:18state's prison system. This transformation included the construction of new facilities, which was slated to
27:23commence within the 2016 calendar year. Astonishingly, as of 2020, the prison remained in operation, indicating
27:29that there may be complexities with regard to addressing the deeply entrenched issues plaguing the
27:34facility and the broader correctional system in Alabama. Kaliti Women's Prison, Ethiopia. Within the
27:40Ethiopian prison system, comprising a total of 200,000 inmates, women constitute a minority, accounting for
27:473.7% of the incarcerated population. However, this demographic faces a complex web of challenges during
27:53their confinement. Discrimination and harsh treatment, including instances of cruelty and violence,
27:58permeate detention centers and police stations. These hardships are compounded by the grim realities
28:03of overcrowded facilities, subpar access to essential resources such as food, water, sanitation and medical
28:10care, leaving female prisoners in a perpetual state of vulnerability. One facility sticks out like a
28:15sore thumb amongst other female correctional facilities in Ethiopia. Kaliti Prison. The Kaliti Federal
28:21Correctional Facility, originally intended as a bastion for safeguarding and upholding prisoners'
28:26rights, has regrettably become a hotbed for the violation of those very rights it was meant to protect.
28:32The institution's failure to fulfill its foundational purpose can be attributed to a multitude of reasons.
28:38Due to the absence of a robust rehabilitation center within the facility, one of the most severely
28:42impacted demographics is women and children who find themselves living alongside their incarcerated
28:47mothers. The lack of a strong rehabilitative framework has taken a significant toll on their
28:52well-being. A visit to the Kaliti Women's Prison, situated adjacent to Debrezite Road, unfolds a scene
28:57that borders on the surreal. Inmates, clad in distinctive orange uniforms, stand in silent
29:02contemplation before their cells, enveloped by the cacophony of voices and heavy footfalls belonging
29:07to the military guards. The ambiance resembles that of a warehouse rather than a correctional facility.
29:12Strikingly, despite being designated as a women's prison, it accommodates male prisoners as well.
29:18Adding to this paradox is the fact that a majority of the guards tasked with overseeing the facility
29:22are men. For numerous female inmates incarcerated within the confines of Kaliti, life has transcended
29:28the realm of mere challenges. It has become an arduous ordeal. Many of these women find themselves
29:33imprisoned with their children, a situation that necessitates them to raise their offspring
29:38within the unforgiving precincts of the prison compound. The systemic deficiencies within the
29:43legal apparatus have compounded their plight, resulting in long periods of detention without
29:48formal sentencing. Regrettably, justice remains elusive for many of these women, leaving them with
29:53no recourse. While the prison authorities manage to meet some of the basic needs of the inmates,
29:58a pressing issue persists, the arduous task of accessing justice. Reports by reputable organizations
30:03such as Human Rights Watch and the African Human Rights Commission have shed light on the dire
30:08conditions within Ethiopian women's prisons. Individual cells are described as incredibly cramped,
30:13forcing prisoners into confined spaces where they cannot even stretch their legs. These cells are
30:18starkly ill-suited to cater to. The requirements of prisoners with special needs, individuals with
30:22disabilities, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. The deficiencies in the prison
30:26infrastructure pose particular challenges for pregnant women and new mothers who require
30:31prenatal and postnatal care, as well as access to sanitary facilities to maintain their hygiene.
30:36The disconcerting state of affairs within the Calaty Federal Correctional Facility
30:40warrants immediate attention and reform. The facility's deviation from its intended purpose
30:45illustrates the urgency of addressing the systemic shortcomings that perpetuate the violation of
30:50inmates' rights, particularly affecting women and children who find themselves ensnared within its confines.
30:56Comprehensive reforms and a commitment to upholding human rights are essential to rectify this
31:00deeply concerning situation. Wellikada Women's Prison, Sri Lanka
31:04The Wellikada Prison in Sri Lanka, while technically classified as a correctional facility, has come
31:09under scrutiny due to concerns about the efficacy of rehabilitation within its walls. Monthly visitation
31:15hours at the women's ward of this notorious prison paint a distressing picture for both inmates and their
31:20loved ones. The visiting area, a cramped space measuring just 10 by 7 feet, is divided by a mesh counter.
31:26On one side, families clamor for standing room, while on the other, inmates, clad in white prison
31:31uniforms, struggle to make themselves heard amid the cacophony. This monthly ordeal is emblematic of the
31:36larger issues plaguing the entire prison system, chaotic, severely overcrowded, and inhumane. An anonymous female inmate,
31:42speaking under strict conditions of anonymity, revealed the dehumanizing treatment prisoners endure.
31:48In cells designed for 75 individuals, approximately 150 inmates are crammed together. A foul-smelling
31:54open drain, infested with rats, snakes around the room's perimeter, posing a hazard to the inmates.
32:00One unfortunate prisoner was even bitten by a rat and had to be urgently hospitalized for an anti-rabies shot.
32:05The dire conditions within Welikada, Sri Lanka's largest correctional facility, have drawn renewed
32:10attention from both state and independent media outlets, with reports highlighting the persistent
32:15overcrowding issue. As of 2011, Welikada housed a staggering 4,500 inmates in a facility originally
32:22designed for 2,000, resulting in an alarming overcrowding rate of 220%. Christina Albertan,
32:29a representative from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, has pointed out that Sri Lanka
32:34possesses the second most overcrowded prison system in South Asia, trailing only behind Bangladesh,
32:40which grapples with an occupancy rate of over 300%. Most of Sri Lanka's prisons date back over a
32:45century to the British colonial era, when the country's population was a mere 3 million. Presently,
32:50the prison system's institutional capacity stands at 11,000 prisoners, a stark contrast to the current
32:56prison population of over 30,000. Remarkably, more than half of these inmates are held in pre-trial
33:02detention, while the remaining 50% are incarcerated due to an inability to pay fines. Petty offenders
33:08find themselves sharing cells with individuals convicted of serious sexual offences and heinous
33:13crimes, creating a volatile mix within these antiquated facilities. The Women's Ward at Welikada
33:18has earned the reputation of a living hell. Reports have cited maggots infesting the food,
33:23an absence of basic amenities like beds, mats, or pillows, and the absence of fans,
33:27even in scorching temperatures that can reach 33 degrees Celsius. Designed for 150 occupants,
33:33the Female Ward currently houses 650 inmates, far exceeding the already staggering occupancy rate
33:39of 200%. In these deplorable conditions, inmates lead a monotonous existence, engaging in daily routines
33:45of eating, bathing, sleeping, and waking up to repeat the cycle. There is a conspicuous lack of
33:50rehabilitative efforts, leaving women languishing away in this facility without any meaningful interventions.
33:55Further compounding the ordeal, only two bathrooms are available for 75 female inmates. Of the 10
34:01bathrooms provided for the total prisoners, most are in appalling states of disrepair. The situation
34:05takes a harrowing turn when the women are confined to their cells at 5.30 in the evening, not being
34:10allowed to use the bathroom until 5 o'clock the following morning. As a result, inmates are forced to
34:15use buckets as makeshift toilets during the night, adding another layer of distress to their already dire
34:19circumstances. In light of these conditions, it becomes evident that the Sri Lankan prison system,
34:24despite its official designation as correctional, struggles to fulfill its mandate of reintegrating
34:29individuals into society. Instead, it serves as a grim testament to overcrowding, negligence,
34:34and the abandonment of those within its walls, particularly the female inmates who endure these
34:39harsh realities daily. If you enjoyed this video, click on the card on your screen for more content like
34:44this. See you next time!
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