The adoption of the 2010 UN Bangkok Rules represents an important step forward in recognizing the gender specific needs of women in the criminal justice system and providing the standards that should be applied in the treatment of such women. Until then, only a handful of provisions in existing standards specifically addressed the needs and characteristics of women and girls in the criminal justice system. The Bangkok Rules are also the first international instrument, which specifically addresses issues faced by children of incarcerated parents.
Penal Reform International have developed a comprehensive free e-course, Women in Detention: putting the Bangkok Rules into practice, as part of a programme funded by the UK Government. It is self-directed and can be completed over days or even months depending on the learner’s availability. It combines readings, case-studies, self-assessments, extra resources and brainstorming. Case studies enable the learner to apply the Bangkok Rules to ‘real life’ situations, and promising practice examples give inspiration. Upon completion of all 10 modules by successfully passing end-of-module quizzes, participants are issued with a certificate.
The course was developed with Human Rights Education Associates and is currently available in English, with Arabic and Russian versions coming in 2014.
To enroll and find out more on the course click here.