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05/07/2007
Female prisoners subject to ‘severe verbal abuse’
A report published by the Human Rights Commission has revealed that women prisoners have been subject to “severe verbal abuse” when they have been transported alongside male prisoners.
The report called ‘The Prison Within: the imprisonment of women at Hydebank Wood 2004-2006’ documents the daily routine of women prisoners and finds that they are subject to long periods of lock-up and have difficulties in maintaining contact with their families – especially children.
It also revealed they have few opportunities for work and education.
Dr Linda Moore added: “We were disturbed to find that women and girls are still being transported in vans along with male prisoners, and often subjected to severe verbal abuse during journeys to and from court.
“This goes completely against human rights standards.”
She continued: “We are also concerned about the routine strip-searching of women entering the prison. Women told us how degraded and humiliated they felt having to remove all clothes as their first experience of prison.”
Dr Moore says she believes strip-searching should be kept to a minimum, and only used when there is an individual risk assessment that demonstrates it is necessary for safety or security reasons.
(JM)
The report called ‘The Prison Within: the imprisonment of women at Hydebank Wood 2004-2006’ documents the daily routine of women prisoners and finds that they are subject to long periods of lock-up and have difficulties in maintaining contact with their families – especially children.
It also revealed they have few opportunities for work and education.
Dr Linda Moore added: “We were disturbed to find that women and girls are still being transported in vans along with male prisoners, and often subjected to severe verbal abuse during journeys to and from court.
“This goes completely against human rights standards.”
She continued: “We are also concerned about the routine strip-searching of women entering the prison. Women told us how degraded and humiliated they felt having to remove all clothes as their first experience of prison.”
Dr Moore says she believes strip-searching should be kept to a minimum, and only used when there is an individual risk assessment that demonstrates it is necessary for safety or security reasons.
(JM)
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22 April 2005
Court criticises strip searching of women prisoners
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has welcomed a judgment in the High Court which criticised the practice of strip searching women prisoners at Hydebank Wood as an “unnecessary and humiliating policy”.
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18 June 2004
Prison Service urged to reconsider transfer plans for women prisoners
The Human Rights Commission today urged the Prison Service to abandon its plans to transfer women prisoners from Mourne House in Maghaberry Prison to Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre.
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31 July 2002
Women prisoners step out for charity
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22 March 2017
PSNI Appeal After Man Reported Shouting Verbal Abuse At Women
Police have launched an investigation following reports a man has been hiding in the bushes in west Belfast. The suspect has been shouting verbal abuse at women passing in the Colin area. A PSNI spokesperson said: "If you can identify this male or have been a victim of this please contact police on 101.
PSNI Appeal After Man Reported Shouting Verbal Abuse At Women
Police have launched an investigation following reports a man has been hiding in the bushes in west Belfast. The suspect has been shouting verbal abuse at women passing in the Colin area. A PSNI spokesperson said: "If you can identify this male or have been a victim of this please contact police on 101.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
