Sentencing Review could change women's experiences of criminalisation for good

Sentencing Review could change women's experiences of criminalisation for good says Women in Prison as they welcome the government announce further details of the independent Sentencing Review

Women in Prison have today welcomed the announcement of the Sentencing Review’s Expert Panel and the public call for evidence to inform their work. Sonya Ruparel, Chief Executive, said

“The Sentencing Review marks a pivotal moment and significant opportunity to transform the way women are treated by the justice system.

For too long, women have been disproportionately affected by short sentences, with 53% of women in prison in 2022 serving sentences of six months or less (Prison Reform Trust)

This approach has failed to address the root causes of women’s offending, which are overwhelmingly linked to inequality – from poverty and mental health issues to experiences of domestic abuse.

These sentences punish women for their circumstances and a few weeks in prison can lead to the loss of housing, employment, and even their children, making it so much harder for women to rebuild their lives.

Through the Sentencing Review the Government has an important opportunity to address some of the most serious challenges in our justice system. Prisons are unable to keep women, and their children safe, and we hope the review leads to an end to short sentences, imprisonment of pregnant women, criminalisation of survivors of domestic abuse, and an end to use of prison as a “place of safety” for women with mental health problems.

We are delighted to see experts in violence against women and girls appointed to this panel. We hope this richness of experience will ensure the review takes into account and responds to the fact that so many women in the criminal justice system are also survivors of domestic abuse and other experiences of inequality.

The review marks a brave step toward building a fairer and more effective justice system, and we are hopeful that it signals the beginning of meaningful change for women.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Women in Prison (WIP) is a national charity that delivers support for women affected by the criminal justice system in prisons, in the community and through our Women's Centres. We campaign to end the harm caused to women, their families and our communities by imprisonment

For media enquiries, contact [email protected] or 07860695752

Key statistics

• According to the Ministry of Justice, the women’s prison population is projected to increase to 4,200 by November 2027 (1).

• The rate of self-harm is 8 times higher in women's prisons than in men's prisons.
  (2).

• The majority of women in prison (82%) report that they have mental health problems compared with just over half of men (59%) (3).

• 57% women in prison reported that they had been experienced domestic violence (4).

1. Prison Population Projections: 2023 to 2028, Ministry of Justice

2. Safety in Custody Statistics, England and Wales: Deaths in Prison Custody to June 2024 Assaults and Self-harm, October 2024

3. Bromley Briefings Prison Factfile, February 2024, Prison Reform Trust

4. “There’s a reason we’re in trouble” report, Prison Reform Trust, December 2017