last decade, there has been a doubling of women prisoners held on remand, growing from 110 in 2012 to 273 in 2023 – meaning over half of the female prison population (54 per cent) is on remand.138 115. Recent initiatives from Corrections in relation to the female prison population include the 2021 – 2025 Strategy: Wāhine E rere ana ki te pae hou | Women rising above a new horizon.139 The Commission understands Corrections have achieved six of the 38 immediate planned actions required under this strategy, which have focussed on the improvement of policies and practices relating to pregnant women in prison and those in the Mothers with Babies Unit. Women in this unit are supported to stay with their babies in a natural, mutually beneficial relationship, which is shown to also reduce the rates of repeat offending. Corrections are also developing a gender-responsive, trauma-informed learning and development pathway to train custodial staff working in women’s prison sites. 116. In the period since the State Party report, Corrections have installed and operationalised bodyscanning technology at three prison sites (two women’s and one men’s). This technology is offered to people instead of strip-searching upon their arrival and processing into prison. The Commission understands that Corrections intends to install this technology across all sites, subject to pending necessary infrastructure changes. Less-intrusive, full body imaging technology helps to promote personal dignity and wellbeing for both people in prison and Corrections staff, who have reported more positive outcomes since this technology was introduced. This is particularly important for the female prison population, many of whom have experienced domestic and sexual violence, exploitation and victimisation before they have entered prison.140 Prior to the installation of this technology, the Commission is aware of litigation relating to intrusive internal searching of numerous female prisoners, carried out at a systemic level and over an extended period.141 117. Despite these initiatives, the Commission is concerned that Aotearoa New Zealand’s prison system is not adequately equipped to fully address the specific needs of women in prison. Each individual within the female prison population has multiple characteristics and circumstances including age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, family status, ethnicity, disability, that intersect and impact on their pathway to and experience of detention. Corrections has reported that in 2021, 75 per cent of women in prison had a diagnosed mental health condition in the last 12 months.142 Women with mental health conditions are highly vulnerable to illtreatment in custodial settings, and detention is likely to perpetuate their trauma. To reduce the harmful effects of detention, these women require adequate protection and support and should not be subjected to measures which are likely to exacerbate their distress. 118. As will be outlined in the section on seclusion and restraint below, in 2021 the Commission commissioned a report First, Do No Harm: segregation, restraint, and pepper spray use in 138 Ibid. There was a total of 110 women on remand (21% of female prison population) in March 2012 compared with 273 (54%) in March 2023. 139 Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections ‘Wāhine – E rere ana ki te pae hou: Women’s Strategy 2021 – 2025’ available at https://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/44644/Corrections_Wahine__E_rere_ana_ki_te_pae_hou_2021_-_2025.pdf. 140 Elizabeth Stanley, Human Rights and Prisons: A review to the Human Rights Commission (July 2011) at p. 90, available at https://www.hrc.co.nz/files/5214/2550/8357/Stanley_2011_-_Human_Rights_and_Prisons.pdf. 141 John Weekes, Lawsuit looms after intrusive searches, $375K payout for women prisoners Stuff NZ (26 March 2019) available at https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/111554199/women-prisoners-get-apology-and-375k-payout-forintrusive-searches. 142 Corrections ‘Wāhine E rere ana ki te pae hou’, p.7. 29