Justice Ministry considering women-only prisons

Female inmates make up about five percent of the Danish prison population

The rising number of sexual harassment cases in Danish prisons has prompted the Justice Ministry to look into whether there is a need for a prison for women only.

A new report from the state prison service Kriminalforsorgen has revealed that every fourth female inmate has endured sexual harassment and the justice minister, Karen Hækkerup, wants to look into whether a women’s prison is a possible solution.

”Every inmate, whatever sex, must have a safe environment during their time served,” Hækkerup said in a press release.

“Harassment is serious in itself, but female inmates also risk being put in vulnerable situations in the mixed prisons where they have to prostitute themselves in order to get drugs or become dependent on male protection. That’s not acceptable.”

READ MORE: Shorter processing time for foreign criminals serving time at home

14 years coming
Hækkerup was positively inclined towards a women’s prison, but added that it could have pitfalls such as having to serve time far away from home and family.

Denmark hasn’t had a prison for women since 2000 when the prison in Amstrup, Jutland closed.

Female inmates make up about five percent of the Danish prison population.

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