Memories of the ‘inside’ Conditions in South African women’s prisons

Abstract

The inadequate conditions of South Africa’s correctional facilities are well known. Health care, sanitation, food provision, access to education and reading materials, and, in particular, overcrowding are considerable challenges faced by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). Based on interviews with former prisoners, this article retrospectively examines the conditions under which female inmates are incarcerated in South Africa. Findings show that prison conditions in some female correctional facilities are poor and impact negatively on prisoners during, and sometimes after, their incarceration. (‘Prisons’ and ‘correctional facilities’ are used interchangeably in this article.)