2nd edition, with reference to the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (The Bangkok Rules)

The main focus of the Handbook is female prisoners and guidance on the components of a gender-sensitive approach to prison management, taking into account the typical background of female prisoners and their special needs as women in prison.

Three special categories of female prisoners have been included in chapter 2 of the
Handbook: pretrial detainees, foreign national women and girls in prison. These three groups were selected because their vulnerability and special needs are particularly pronounced due to the cumulative effects of their status and gender.