Abstract

GARCIA ESCALLON, Mercedes Claudia; ARISTIZABAL DIAZGRANADOS, Edith  and  GARCIA-LOPEZ, Eric. Characteristics of the female prison population: a case from the Caribbean region of Colombia. Rev. Crim. [online]. 2024, vol.66, n.1, pp.73-96.  Epub May 15, 2024. ISSN 1794-3108.  https://doi.org/10.47741/17943108.562.

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of women deprived of liberty (MPL) in a prison detention centre in the Caribbean region of Colombia, based on a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional method, using units of documentary analysis of a sample of 202 psycholegal files of women deprived of liberty, during the years 2021 and 2022. These files contain 25 variables divided into three groups. First group: socio-demographic characteristics of the population; second group: historical data, relating to family history and mental health; third group: aspects related to criminal behaviour. According to the results found, most of the population are mothers, with little access to job opportunities, low level of schooling, precarious economic income, history of psychological, sexual or physical victimisation, exposure to indirect violence, history of abandonment and, in some cases, the presence of mental health diagnoses, substance use, comorbidity and traumatic experiences during childhood and adolescence and the imprisonment of parents or relatives were identified. These results allow us to recognise the importance of the historical aspects and background of female criminal behaviour, which is fundamental in the prevention of criminality, addressing the risk factors prior to female criminal behaviour; also, the relevance of strengthening a prison model that takes into account the characteristics and needs of the female population, a criminal policy and a gender-sensitive penitentiary system, as well as the incorporation of the results found in prison treatment, in re-socialisation and in the prevention of the criminal phenomenon.

Keywords : Women deprived of liberty; risk factors; women offenders; Penitentiary treatment; criminal policy.

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