MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
News Release (066/08) issued by The Government News Network on 24
June 2008
Further
initiatives to support women with particular vulnerabilities in
the criminal justice system were set out today by Maria Eagle MP,
Ministerial Champion for Women in the Criminal Justice System.
Publishing the Government's six-month progress report on
Baroness Corston's independent review of women in the
criminal justice system that have specific vulnerabilities, Maria
Eagle outlined the progress made and the new commitments being considered.
In December 2007 the Government set out their response to the
Corston review and in May 2008 a National Service Framework for
Women Offenders was published that clearly lays out the
Government's strategy for addressing the needs of women offenders.
Today's new commitments include:
* pilots that are now running in five women's prisons
testing a new kind of search which does not require the removal of
underwear unless there is intelligence or suspicion at any stage
that this is necessary. Searches can be intimidating and
distressing, particularly for women who have experienced domestic
violence or sexual abuse;
* piloting a new approach to providing access to community-based
services and residential facilities by agencies working in a more
integrated way;
* support to the continued development of the Turnaround project
in Wales that demonstrates the value of multi-agency, multi-sector
work with women offenders; and
* developing specific guidance
and support for Offender Managers on how to deal with women offenders.
Maria Eagle, Justice Minister, said
"Baroness Corston set out a clear vision in 2007 of how we
should ensure measures are in place for women who come into
contact with the criminal justice system. The vulnerabilities
which characterise many women in the Criminal Justice System
include mental health problems, drug misuse, sexual and domestic
abuse and concerns about their children's welfare cannot be ignored.
"By getting to the route of the very specific problems
encountered by many of the women who end up in prison, we can
contribute to the wider goal of a safer society. We want to ensure
sentences in each individual case are tailored to tackle their
offending behaviour and its causes to cut re-offending.
"I have been chairing an Inter-Ministerial group to look at
the options and we have taken several steps so far to produce
plans on diverting women offenders from custody into community
provision where that is appropriate. These options will be
developed over the coming months to create a deliverable plan of action.
"For those women who really do need to be imprisoned, we are
dedicated to ensuring they are held in conditions that are
appropriate and meets women's needs. We also committed £40
million this year to ensure magistrates have tough and effective
community sentences at their disposal."
Baroness Jean Corston, published her independent Review of Women
in the Criminal Justice System with Particular Vulnerabilities in
March 2007. The purpose of the Review was to look at the measures
in place to ensure we were doing everything possible for women
with particular vulnerabilities who come into contact with the
criminal justice system.
Notes to Editors
A copy of the WMS and Progress report published today can be
found on the Ministry of Justice website - http://www.justice.gov.uk
http://www.justice.gov.uk
ENDS