Women in Prison respond to the Ministry of Justice's Delivery Plan publication

Today, 31^st January, the Ministry of Justice published their long-awaited Delivery Plan. This sets out how the government will deliver on the commitments made in the Female Offender Strategy published in 2018.

Chief Executive of Women in Prison, Sonya Ruparel, says: “We welcome the publication of the Delivery Plan, which for the first time in nearly 5 years will enable us to see the government’s progress and hold them to account in delivering on their commitments in the Female Offender Strategy.

The strategy’s ambitious plans to reduce the women’s prison population has so far been failing with the current population predicted to rise by a third by 2025. Change and real action is urgently needed and we are concerned that the Delivery Plan will fall short of achieving the government’s commitments, particularly for racially minoritised and migrant women.

If we are to respond to the diverse needs of, and radically reduce, the women’s prison population the Ministry of Justice needs to ensure there is genuine transparency and accountability on their commitments, particularly to the women who are caught up in, and harmed by, the system.”