Breaking Barriers: Global Leaders Unite at Women in Corrections Conference 2025 in Bangkok

The conference, which attracted 350 participants from 56 jurisdictions, served as an international platform for addressing the complex challenges and opportunities in women's corrections while commemorating the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Bangkok Rules. The Bangkok Rules, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010, have been instrumental in establishing international standards for the treatment of women prisoners and promoting non-custodial measures for women offenders. This conference represented a milestone in assessing the progress made over the past 15 years while identifying areas requiring further attention and improvement.

 

"Today, we're seeing their impact through innovative programs and policy reforms worldwide, though significant work remains to be done, " said Natalie Boal, the Executive Director of ICPA. "The Bangkok Rules aren’t just about compliance with international standards- it’s about recognizing that gender-responsive corrections create better outcomes not just for women, but for their families, communities, and society as a whole."

 

The two-day event brought together a diversity of stakeholders, including correctional leaders, practitioners, academics, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience. This unique combination of perspectives enabled rich discussions and meaningful exchanges about the future of women's corrections.

 

The themes ranged from examining imprisonment pathways and experiences to promoting successful reintegration strategies, the importance of translating policy into practice, particularly focusing on the implementation of gender-responsive frameworks and the Bangkok Rules. It also highlighted the crucial role of women working in corrections and leadership positions and the development of specialized responses for diverse groups of corrections-involved women, ensuring inclusive and effective correctional practices.

 

For instance, in England and Wales, a targeted initiative reduced use-of-force incidents by 80 cases per month through specialized staff training and trauma-informed practices. Meanwhile, Jamaica's correctional facilities have transformed their medical services under Dr. Donna-Michelle Royer-Powe's leadership, introducing comprehensive women's health programs and prison nurseries. The conference tackled crucial issues, including the "IPV-to-Prison Pipeline," with new research revealing that approximately 75% of incarcerated women experienced intimate partner violence in the year preceding their offenses. This data underscores the urgent need for reform in how justice systems approach women's pathways to imprisonment.

 

A particularly moving presentation came from Susan Kigula Natoolo, who transformed her experience on death row into a career as a human rights lawyer. "The Bangkok Rules aren't just guidelines on paper," Natoolo emphasized. "They represent hope and dignity for women who have been historically overlooked by justice systems worldwide."

 

The event concluded powerfully with a session dedicated to voices of lived experience, where formerly incarcerated women shared their insights and recommendations for systemic change. Their testimonies underscored the importance of including affected individuals in policy-making and reform efforts.

 

"The path to healing in our correctional systems begins with understanding that every woman's story matters. When we create environments that honor their experiences, acknowledge their trauma, and provide pathways to recovery, we don't just change individual lives – we transform entire communities. True rehabilitation happens when we see beyond the offense to recognize the human being who needs healing," said Dr. Stephanie S. Covington, the keynote speaker at the Women in Corrections Conference.

 

As the first global conference of its kind, WICC 2025 has set a new standard for addressing women's issues in corrections. The conference not only celebrated the progress made since the adoption of the Bangkok Rules but also established a strong foundation for continued collaboration and innovation in women's corrections worldwide. The participation and engagement from diverse stakeholders signal a growing recognition of the importance of gender-responsive approaches in criminal justice systems globally.

 

Thailand Institute of Justice Executive Director Dr. Phiset Sa-ardyen noted, “I hope that this conference will serve as a platform for deep, meaningful dialogue. By sharing our experiences, research, and best practices, we can create a new paradigm and generate concrete solutions.”

 

We invite you to visit our resources page to view the presentations from the Women in Corrections Conference. 

 

 

Read an article about the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty delegation's experience at the Women in Corrections conference here. 

 

Read an opinion article by the Executive Director of Hope Behind Bars Africa, who attended WICC2025, to learn more about the critical gaps in Nigeria's correctional system and the growing rates of female incarceration here.

 

 

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