Women in prison: a study of the prevalence of abuse

Abstract

This paper examines the incidence, prevalence, and consequences of maltreatment to women in prison with the aim of providing a helpful reference to guide interventions that are usually carried out by formal and informal agents during the imprisonment process and during the immediately following period. To that end, the EAVD (Asturian Survey of Domestic Violence) was administered to a sample of 30 women prisoners in Villabona Penitentiary (Asturias, Spain); moreover, the files of the population of women who were prison inmates. The results indicate a high rate of maltreatment and a high mean of aggressors by woman, with percentages four times greater than those observed in the general population. Threats, harassments, neglects, insults, and restrictions of freedom of action for women come from both progenitors and partners. Affronts to physical integrity, freedom of thought, goods, and possessions happen more frequently with partners. Sexual aggressions, with a high prevalence, come from partners and relatives with the same frequency.