A/RES/65/229
disability; and educational and training programmes to improve employment
prospects. Such programmes shall take account of the need to provide care for
children and women-only services.
Rule 61
When sentencing women offenders, courts shall have the power to consider
mitigating factors such as lack of criminal history and relative non-severity and
nature of the criminal conduct, in the light of women’s caretaking responsibilities
and typical backgrounds.
Rule 62
The provision of gender-sensitive, trauma-informed, women-only substance abuse
treatment programmes in the community and women’s access to such treatment
shall be improved, for crime prevention as well as for diversion and alternative
sentencing purposes.
1.
Post-sentencing dispositions
Rule 63
Decisions regarding early conditional release (parole) shall favourably take into
account women prisoners’ caretaking responsibilities, as well as their specific social
reintegration needs.
2.
Pregnant women and women with dependent children
Rule 64
Non-custodial sentences for pregnant women and women with dependent children
shall be preferred where possible and appropriate, with custodial sentences being
considered when the offence is serious or violent or the woman represents a
continuing danger, and after taking into account the best interests of the child or
children, while ensuring that appropriate provision has been made for the care of
such children.
3.
Juvenile female offenders
Rule 65
Institutionalization of children in conflict with the law shall be avoided to the
maximum extent possible. The gender-based vulnerability of juvenile female
offenders shall be taken into account in decision-making.
4.
Foreign nationals
Rule 66
Maximum effort shall be made to ratify the United Nations Convention against
Transnational Organized Crime 26 and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish
Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United
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26
United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2225, No. 39574.
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