Although women are a minority in national prison populations all over the world, the female prison population is increasing. This increase in women’s imprisonment is part of a global trend towards the increasing popularity and use of imprisonment and a corresponding under- use of constructive alternative, non-custodial sanctions. This applies particularly to drug offences and non-violent theft (Penal Reform International, 2007). Most female drug offenders could be dealt with more effectively by alternatives to imprisonment specifically targeting the drug problem rather than by imprisonment (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2008). Further, the rate of increase in the number.
