Gender and penal policy across Europe

• In Event: Routledge Handbook on European Penology – II. European Penality – Developments in Penal Practices

Abstract

This presentation reviews current trends, policies and practices regarding gender and sentencing, highlighting both concerns and possibilities, steps forwards and steps backwards. The presentation includes attention to sentencing, community penalties and imprisonment, noting developments in regard to the implementation of the Bangkok Rules in different European countries and positive developments such as the introduction of a presumption against short prison sentences (in at least one country) which has positive effects regarding the sentencing of women; we will also discuss ‘problem-solving courts’. The presentation will outline deficiencies in regard to the implementation of the Bangkok Rules in different countries, and will also touch on the treatment of trans-people caught up in the criminal justice system.

Authors

• Loraine Gelsthorpe, University of Cambridge

• Andreia de Castro Rodrigues, ISPA & WJCR

• Ester Blay Gil, University of Girona