Currently, approximately 1,500 women are incarcerated in the Czech Republic, accounting for 8% of the total prison population.
The top three reasons women are imprisoned stem from the consequences of toxic relationships and manipulation by partners, according to research conducted by Jiří Mertl last year, in which he interviewed 12 experts who work with female prisoners.
The majority of crimes committed by women are linked to experiences of physical abuse or violence from their partners. The second most common cause involves crimes related to shared drug addiction with a partner. The third category includes crimes committed in partnership with their significant other.
These figures highlight the significant impact of abusive relationships and partner dynamics on women’s paths to incarceration, shedding light on the broader social and systemic challenges they face.
