Women in Prison are angry about the quiet abolition of semi-open prisons for women. The recent re-categorisation of HMP Morton Hall and HMP Drake Hall from semi-open to closed prisons means that there are now no women’s semi-open prisons in the entire country. Prior to this women could be held in one of three categories of prison: open, semi-open and closed. There are now 12 closed prisons and just 2 open prisons for women.
Women who have semi-open categorisation are now held in closed prisons and there are cases of women being re-categorised as closed prisoners due to the lack of semi-open prisons and not for any legitimate reason to re-categorise. This move also breaches European Prison Rules which require that the “the security measures applied to individual prisoners shall be the minimum necessary to achieve their secure custody.”
The impact on women and their children of removing this categorisation is huge. Women categorised as semi-open prisoners are allowed to apply for childcare resettlement leave enabling them to spend time with their children outside of the prison. The loss of semi-open prisons will stop women spending time with their families pre-release. The government has recognised the importance of family contact, it is not only of benefit to women and their children, but also positive family relationships play a part in reducing re-offending.
In time this decision will impact not only on those women who are categorised as closed prisoners but also on all women who are eligible for re-categorisation.
We are also disappointed that this action was taken without consultation or notification and without any apparent consideration of the impact that this will have on women. This move goes against progress made by this government following the Corston report on vulnerable women in the criminal justice system which highlighted the importance of family connections and the need for a distinct approach to women in the criminal justice system. Women already in prison and women for whom custody might be appropriate must not be forgotten due to a focus on diverting women from custody. The government in accepting the recommendations of the Corston report made commitments to these women too. This decision to re-categorise appears to be borne of logistical reasons and not legitimate reasons that take into account the commitment to a women-centred response to women's offending made following the Corston report.
Women in Prison will be monitoring the impact of this decision and working to ensure that women are able to benefit from semi-open categorisation.
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