Who are women prisoners? Survey results from Armenia and Georgia

This research report is based on a survey of 65 and 70 per cent of the female prison population in Armenia and Georgia respectively, carried out by PRI in May 2013. It also includes an analysis of statistics received from criminal justice authorities in the two countries. By providing facts and figures, the report seeks to illustrate the need for gender-specific policies that respond to the needs of women in prison, and to enable an identification of the key areas to be addressed as a matter of priority.

A snapshot of the results:

• In Georgia only 6 per cent of women prisoners are convicted for violent crimes, with 42 per cent convicted for property offences.
• Among women pre-trial detainees in Armenia, 45 per cent of offences with which women were charged were property offences.
• 8 in 10 women surveyed were mothers.
• The most common practical consequences of imprisonment were the loss of jobs and housing, followed by the breakup of families.

The report includes recommendations with reference to the UN Bangkok Rules.

This is the first report in a series of three in our current research project inspired by Rule 67 of the UN Bangkok Rules. The following two reports will report on surveys of women prisoners in Central Asia and in the Middle East and North Africa region respectively.

This project has been made possible by the financial support of the UK Government.