8 countries where the number of women imprisoned is rising
- According to recent reports, the number of women and girls in prison across the world is increasing
- More than 714,000 females are held in penal institutions worldwide, and the number is rising
- The increase was reported in the fourth edition of the World Female Imprisonment List
Researchers have reported that more than 714,000 females are held in penal institutions worldwide, this represents a 53% rise on the 466,000 estimated to be behind bars in the year 2000.
The new report reveals that the number of women and girls in prison around the world has jumped by more than half, including those on remand and awaiting trial as well as inmates who have been convicted and sentenced.
Women and girls now make up 6.9% of the global prison population, says the study published by the Institute for Criminal Policy Research at Birkbeck, University of London.
Below are some countries affected and their current prison population:
1. England and Wales - 3,974
2. Northern Ireland - 51
3. Scotland - 360
4. China - 107,000
5. Russian federation - 48,478
6. Brazil - 44,700
7. Thailand - 41,119
8. India - 17,834
According to the fourth edition of the World Female Imprisonment List, the female prison population has risen in all continents in the last 17 years.
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It says: “In Africa the rise has been somewhat less than the increase in the general population of the continent and in Europe the increase in prisoner numbers has been similar to the general population increase.
“By contrast, rises in the female prison population in the Americas, in Asia and in Oceania have been respectively about three, four and five times the increases in the general population of those continents.”
Roy Walmsley, director of the world prison brief at the Institute for Criminal Policy Research, said: “The surprisingly sharp rise over recent years in the number of women and girls in prison, the substantial variations in female imprisonment levels between neighbouring countries.
"Between different regions and between different continents, and the fact that female imprisonment levels have been increasing at a very much faster rate than male imprisonment levels should prompt policy makers in all countries to consider whether it is really necessary to hold so many women and girls in custody.
“Female imprisonment has a high financial and social cost, and its excessive use does not contribute to public safety."
Meanwhile, a female Nigerian soldier simply identified as Porch Army girl recently got everyone gushing over her on social media.
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The young lady who is known for showing off her beautiful curves has a lot of men gushing over her on Instagram.
Legit.ng gathered that the young female soldier is a brand distributor of a Nigerian herbal product manufacturing company. She is also a fashion expert.
Women march against gender-based violence - on Legit.ng TV.
Source: Legit.ng
