How is it different for women in prison

A.� Tough question there from mehy0823. Obviously, it's going to be different from the men - but how It's not a question that the Home Office is going to answer and released women prisoners are reluctant to talk. So I spoke to a recently retired prison officer.< xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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Q.� Are they less dangerous

A.� Generally speaking, yes - although anyone involved in a catfight at Holloway Prison might disagree. In the words of the Prison Reform Trust: 'The number of women prisoners who actually pose a grave danger to the general public can probably be counted on the fingers of one hand.'

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Q.� So are they in mixed prisons

A.� No. All jails are single sex, except Durham, which is principally a men's jail but with a women's unit. Rosemary West - the House of Horror serial murderer in Gloucester - has served time there. So has moors murderer Myra Hindley.

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Q.� Any other differences

A.� Let's take the words of retired officer Pat Stephenson: 'The women are, unlike the men, allowed to wear their own clothes. Convicted men must wear the prison denims. It's a completely different regime.'

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Q.� It's an easier regime, then

A.� 'By no means. In many ways, it's more regimented. There are usually mother and baby units for pregnant women. The mothers are usually allowed to keep their babies for nine months - during which they will be looked after by nursing staff, not screws,' says Stephenson. 'After then, the baby will be either be cared for by the woman's family, or by foster parents. This, however, is under review in the European Court of European Rights - there are moves to allow the mother to keep the baby for the whole of her sentence. Hardly a place for a growing youngster, though, is it '

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Q.� What sort of prison work do the women do

A.� 'Usually it's on textiles. Many clothes are made in jails. Sometimes they work on mailbags - although that's the most basic work. A lot of women's prisons produce food - much of it high quality. Holloway was noted for its jam-making and East Sutton, in Kent, makes cheese - and has won many awards for it! There are also some market gardens and farms - although they are more common in men's jails.'

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Q.� Are the women willing workers

A.� 'I wouldn't say that - although they're a lot more disciplined. Like women in all walks of society, they tend to get a lot more things done and are generally more efficient. Male prisoners try every dodge on earth to get out of doing the work. Women don't. That's not to say there aren't many problems, though,' says Stephenson.

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Q.� Such as

A.� 'Women are more prone to illness and are more highly strung. Their hormonal cycles mean they suffer more emotional problems. Therefore, there's more medical care in a women's jail. And there's the drugs ...'

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Q.� A big problem

A.� 'Yes, prison officers reckon that most women are in prison because of drugs. If a woman has been convicted of burglary - and that's becoming increasingly common - it's usually because she's been stealing to buy heroin.'

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By Steve Cunningham