Solicitor General launches scheme to keep women out of prison
27 August 2008
The pilot will allow offenders to be offered a Conditional Caution for a low level crime on the agreement that they attend a Together Women Project Centre. Staff at the centre will work with them to complete a full assessment of their needs, helping them to identify the causes of their offending and routes out. In agreeing to the assessment, offenders – many facing the harsh realities which Baroness Corston identified as common to women offenders – will be given a unique opportunity to break out of the cycle.
On launching the pilot in Leeds, Vera Baird said, "By giving offenders access to opportunities that allow them to break the cycle of crime and change their lives, and those of their children, for the better, we are tackling the roots of crime. The long term effects can only be good; offending will be reduced and offenders will be rehabilitated back in to the community. Perhaps more importantly, this option will avoid mothers being divided from their children, and give them opportunities to tackle what are often chaotic lifestyles underpinning their descent into crime.
"This is not about letting people 'get away with it', it is about providing a realistic alternative to prison, and the community benefiting from the former offender receiving the support they need once more fully to contribute".
Although only the needs assessment at the centre will be a requirement of the caution, women offenders will be able to access a variety of further training – including basic English and Maths, or IT skills – and help to break addictions to alcohol or drugs. The centres also provide childcare and nutrition advice, particularly important for those offenders who are the sole carers for children.
As with other types of conditional caution, offenders may also be required to make amends for any damage they have done – whether through financial reparation or by apologising to those whose property has been damaged.
The pilots will be the subject of a full evaluation, which will in due course inform consideration of extending this approach, both to a wider group of women offenders, and, potentially, to other groups of particularly vulnerable offenders.