Jyderup Prison faces criticism from officers’ union over necessity of separate facility for female inmates in Denmark

Three years ago, Jyderup Prison opened as Denmark’s only facility dedicated to female inmates. Since then, women from across the nation have served their sentences in the prison’s different sections, whether in an open or closed environment. However, the prison officers’ union believes that having a separate prison for women is unnecessary, advocating for men and women to serve their time in the same facilities, as they do in society at large, according to the union’s chairman.

The rationale behind a dedicated women’s prison, as suggested by lawmakers and the Correctional Service, is to provide a safer environment, shielding inmates from harassment and abuse by male prisoners. Nonetheless, the chairman argues that such issues can also occur within a women-only facility.

Initially, the prison union supported the establishment of Jyderup Prison in 2017, but the current leadership now recommends creating dedicated women’s sections within existing prisons, suggesting that women should not be housed in the most severe environments alongside dangerous offenders.

Nina Odgaard, a prison officer at Jyderup, agrees that housing women across various locations would be beneficial. She emphasizes the challenge female inmates face in building a support network when many serve their sentences far from home.

With many female inmates having troubled backgrounds and lacking family support, it becomes clear that tailored assistance is crucial. Odgaard indicates that women’s unique needs often go unmet, requiring specialized care from various professionals within the prison system.

Experts have highlighted that women in prisons are particularly vulnerable, necessitating protective measures and dedicated resources to address their specific circumstances. The head of the Correctional Service considers the women’s prison a success, noting its effectiveness in providing focused support for the female population. A new documentary series offers an insightful look into daily life at Jyderup Prison.