A Paradigm Shift Missed: The expanding incarceration of women in an age of drug decriminalisation

• In Event: Gender, Crime and Justice Working Group Panel 6: Women in prison

Abstract

In recent decades, countries around the world have attempted to navigate away from a punitive ‘war on drugs’ framework to implement non-prohibitionist drug policies, such as decriminalisation. These policies are meant to bring about a paradigm shift in how illicit drug issues are addressed — reducing the role of the criminal justice system and protecting human rights. However, despite their intentions, women in several of these countries are increasingly incarcerated for low-level drug offences, and in many cases, still endure disproportionate and harsh punishment. Using Latin America as a regional case study, this paper examines the ways in which Global-North-inspired models of decriminalisation have failed to sufficiently consider the transnational and intersectional qualities of women’s relationship with drugs. Ultimately, these unique circumstances necessitate solutions beyond current models of progressive drug policy, which will need to be crafted and promoted by local voices at the international level.

Authors

• Lauren Ivy Borders, University of Toronto

• Erika Chabén Cabrera, University of Oxford