Interventions Alliance response to Women’s Justice Board report
The Government today published a report from the Women’s Justice Board setting out recommendations for reducing women’s imprisonment.
In response to the report, Interventions Alliance’s Chief Executive Officer, Suki Binning, said
“The recommendations from the Women’s Justice Board rightly focus on the specific needs of women in the justice system. Women consistently make up only around four per cent of the prison population, but their risks, vulnerabilities and needs are often more complex. An overwhelming number have experienced a high number of adverse childhood experiences as well as domestic abuse.
“We can reduce the number of women in prison while also reducing harm and reoffending. The best way to do this is to intervene earlier, when harm is escalating but before courts feel prison is the only option. This could be achieved through greater use of Residency Requirements as part of a community order supervised by probation. In our experience, structured community settings, like Approved Premises, can help by protecting the public while giving women the support they need.
“To be effective, there also needs to be stronger multi-agency support, especially for substance misuse and mental health. Women also need stable housing when they move on and better support for specific needs, such as for pregnant women. This will require closer commissioning work with local authorities and other statutory agencies.”
Read the full Women’s Justice Board report and recommendations