Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Short Prison Sentences for Women

Tuesday 14 December 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Evans questioned the effectiveness of short prison sentences for women, highlighting societal impacts and the likelihood of children entering care.
  • The Minister reported a 21% decrease in the female prison population from 2010 to 2020 and a 32% reduction in sentences under 12 months since 2016.
  • The government has committed 46 million over three years for wraparound support for women leaving prison or serving community sentences.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Evans Labour (Co-op) Caerphilly
Justice & Courts
Context

The female prison population has decreased by 21% from 2010 to 2020, and there is a 32% fall in sentences of less than 12 months since 2016.

Question

What assessment have you made of the effectiveness of short prison sentences for women? Short prison sentences for women have a huge impact on society. Children of women offenders are more likely to be in care, and women are more likely to be victims of domestic violence. When they leave the prison gate, they are locked in the same cycle that brought them there.

Answer from James Cartlidge

We welcome the fact that the female prison population has decreased by 21% from 2010 to 2020 and there is a 32% fall in sentences of less than 12 months since 2016. We have put in place £46 million of wraparound support over three years for women leaving prison or serving community sentences.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for an urgent review, but the answer provided only information about existing support measures without committing to a new review.

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Q2 Chris Evans Labour (Co-op) Caerphilly
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The female prison population has decreased by 21% from 2010 to 2020, and there is a 32% fall in sentences of less than 12 months since 2016.

Question

I raised this issue four years ago. Short prison sentences for women have a huge impact on society. Children of women offenders are more likely to be in care, and women are more likely to be victims of domestic violence. When they leave the prison gate, they are locked in the same cycle that brought them there.

Answer from James Cartlidge

The hon. Gentleman speaks with great passion on this matter and I do understand where he is coming from, but we have put in place £46 million of wraparound support over three years for women leaving prison or serving community sentences.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for an urgent review, but the answer provided only information about existing support measures without committing to a new review.

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Q3 Alex Cunningham Lab
Justice & Courts Children & Families
Context

An estimated 17,000 children are affected by maternal imprisonment every year. Sentencing guidelines consider sole or primary carer status as a mitigating factor.

Question

What will the Minister do to cut these numbers even more by ensuring that the rights of the child are explicitly considered in every case where a primary carer is sentenced to custody?

Answer from James Cartlidge

First, may I put on record that I am sad that the hon. Gentleman is standing down at the next general election? He has been very constructive in our engagements to date on these important matters. The care of children and other dependants and the impact of the loss of a parent or carer are well-established mitigating factors in sentencing.

Not addressed: The questioner asked for specific actions, but the answer was primarily focused on acknowledging the member's work and did not address the substantive issue.

How: Praise

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