IN BRIEF: Covid-19, Women, and Prisons: Early Release and Non-Custodial Sentences for Women as an Effective Means to Reduce COVID-19 in Prison Populations

The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the dire situation of overcrowded prisons and triggered discussions about alternative sanctions that effectively reduces crime rates and recidivism while ensuring health and safety of the prison population. Women, particularly in Asia, are incarcerated at an increasing rate and for non-violent offenses. This brief explores the use of early release and alternative sentencing to effectively curb populations, thereby reducing the threat of Covid-19 due to overcrowding.