Women on Remand

Background

Women in custody require different management regimes to men. By 2016 women on remand had become the fastest growing cohort of the NSW prison population. The rise in women remanded in custody is a global trend.

This review looks at how the increasing number of women on remand is impacting the quality of the care, treatment and conditions of these women.

Where we inspected

We inspected four correctional centres:

• Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre
• Dillwynia Correctional Centre
• Grafton Intake and Transient Centre
• Wellington Correctional Centre

Grafton and Wellington centres hold mostly male inmates, but have separate units and areas for women inmates.

Recommendations

The Inspector makes 39 recommendations. These include systemic and facility specific improvements in:

• Classification and placement
• Programs and services
• Access to health and legal services
• Maintaining family relationships
• Processes for the release of women on remand
• Diversionary programs

Report

The Women on Remand Report was tabled in parliament and published in February 2020.

Women on Remand Report  (PDF , 7.0 MB)

Media release