Violence and Abuse in the Lives of Women and Girls Incarcerated in Three Gauteng Women's Prisons

Do women's previous experiences of violence or abuse play a role in their unlawful acts? What conditions exist in women's prisons, and do incarcerated women's experiences of violence create violent women's prisons? This research brief presents findings from a study conducted in three women's prisons in Gauteng, South Africa, exploring these two questions. It briefly describes the nature and extent of violence experienced by women and girls in conflict with the law, both prior to as well as during incarceration; and the relationship between such experiences of violence and the commission of unlawful acts. Both sets of questions are important for the prevention of women's offending, as well as the informed sentencing and management of female offenders.