Female prisoners face degrading menstruation management in Queensland

A new report has revealed that female prisoners at the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre face degrading treatment related to hygiene and menstruation management. The report, released by the state's inspector of detention services, highlights serious concerns about conditions in a safety unit for women. The report states that female inmates sometimes wear unwearable clothing. It also raises issues about male officers monitoring CCTV cameras that capture women undressing and using the toilet. The inspector noted that as of November 2023, there were 289 women in the facility, located west of Brisbane. In the safety unit, women at risk of self-harm may not have proper access to menstrual products. Staff reported seeing menstrual blood on women, beds, and inside their cells. Often, women are advised to hold sanitary pads in place, which is difficult when they are sleeping or moving around. Previously, disposable underwear was provided, but concerns emerged that the elastic band could be used for self-harm. Tampons are not offered due to similar fears. The report recommends better management of menstruation for women who are not allowed to wear underwear. In response, Queensland Corrective Services said they are working with a university to create safer underwear that can hold sanitary pads. They confirmed that women assessed as high-risk receive sanitary items based on need. Concerns were also raised about male staff monitoring the safety unit via CCTV. It was reported that sometimes no female staff members were present, meaning male guards could inadvertently see women undressing. Queensland Corrective Services acknowledged this issue and stated that protocols exist for such situations. The report criticized the distribution of outdated clothing, stating that some women received torn and stained garments. In response, authorities are reviewing clothing supplies at the prison. They aim to improve the conditions and experiences of women in their care.