Female Offenders Short Sentences 2023-09-12
2023-09-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raised concerns about the effectiveness of short sentences for women, noting that two-thirds of immediate custody sentences in 2022 were less than 12 months and anticipating a 1,000 increase in the female prison population by 2026.
Whether he has held recent discussions with the Welsh Government on developing community-based alternatives to imprisonment for female offenders serving short sentences. Short sentences for women often do more harm than good, reinforcing trauma and leading to further reoffending. In 73% of cases in 2022, immediate custody sentences for women were less than 12 months. It is anticipated that 1,000 more women will be in prison by 2026. How does the Secretary of State justify the growing female prison population and the use of short sentences, given Wales's ambition to divert as many women as possible away from prison?
Ministers engage regularly with colleagues in the Welsh Government, including discussions on female offenders and alternatives to custody. Both Governments work closely on delivering the “Women's justice blueprint for Wales” on female offending. The women's population in prison has come down, and sentencing is a matter for the judiciary and not something in which the Government intervene. It is important that suitable alternatives to custody are available, and I join the right hon. Lady in paying tribute to the people running women's centres, for example, which do a fantastic job specifically for women, as well as to the broader set of alternative and community sentence options.
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Assessment & feedback
The growing female prison population and specific justification for short sentences were not addressed with concrete data or commitments.
Sentencing Is A Matter For The Judiciary
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP raised concerns about the effectiveness of short sentences for women, noting that two-thirds of immediate custody sentences in 2022 were less than 12 months and anticipating a 1,000 increase in the female prison population by 2026.
Short sentences for women often do more harm than good, reinforcing trauma and leading to further reoffending. In 73% of cases in 2022, immediate custody sentences for women were less than 12 months. It is anticipated that 1,000 more women will be in prison by 2026. How does the Secretary of State justify the growing female prison population and the use of short sentences, given Wales's ambition to divert as many women as possible away from prison?
Ministers engage regularly with colleagues in the Welsh Government, including discussions on female offenders and alternatives to custody. Both Governments work closely on delivering the “Women's justice blueprint for Wales” on female offending. The women's population in prison has come down, and sentencing is a matter for the judiciary and not something in which the Government intervene. It is important that suitable alternatives to custody are available, and I join the right hon. Lady in paying tribute to the people running women's centres, for example, which do a fantastic job specifically for women, as well as to the broader set of alternative and community sentence options.
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Assessment & feedback
The growing female prison population and specific justification for short sentences were not addressed with concrete data or commitments.
Sentencing Is A Matter For The Judiciary
Response accuracy