Debate continues over future of women’s prison at Jyderup in Denmark

Three years ago, Jyderup Prison opened its doors as Denmark’s sole facility dedicated to female inmates. Since then, women from across the country have served their sentences in either the prison’s open or closed sections. However, representatives from the prison guards’ union argue that a separate prison for women is unnecessary. Union leader Bo Yde Sørensen contends that both men and women should serve their sentences together, reflecting their coexistence in society outside prison walls. He describes the segregation as “unnatural,” stating that mixed-gender environments are standard in daily life and should extend to prison settings as well.

Supporters of a women’s prison, including politicians and prison authorities, maintain that such facilities provide a safer environment, shielding inmates from harassment and abuse by male prisoners. However, Sørensen points out that women in such facilities also face various forms of abuse, including sexual assault.

Initially, the prison guards’ union endorsed the establishment of a women’s prison in 2017, a stance that has shifted under current leadership. Sørensen now advocates for women-only sections within existing prisons instead of a standalone facility. He acknowledges that while some prisoners need to be housed separately for safety reasons, there are multiple categories of inmates to consider.

Nina Odgaard, a union representative working at Jyderup Prison, supports distributing female prisoners across various locations. She emphasizes the challenges faced by inmates in building a support network when serving long sentences far from home, making it difficult for them to transition back into society upon release.

Charlotte Mathiassen, a researcher at Aarhus University, calls for the preservation of women’s prisons, arguing that separate facilities enhance safety for vulnerable inmates. She highlights the unique struggles faced by female prisoners due to their backgrounds, including experiences of abuse and addiction.