Fewer women should be in jail

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is right about one thing: when it comes to addressing crimes committed by women, prison doesn’t work. 

Mahmood said at the Labour party conference on Tuesday that she is looking at alternatives to custody, such as community-based sanctions and programmes. Having campaigned on behalf of numerous women in prison over the decades, I have seen the reality of what life is like behind bars. There is very little rehabilitation, drugs are usually available – and pretty much every woman, with a few rare exceptions, has previously been subjected to horrendous male violence, including domestic abuse and rape. A significant number grew up within the care system, and have histories of neglect and self-harm. Prisons have become dumping grounds for the most disenfranchised women in society. But whatever the background of these women, there are currently far too many in prison.

People mention that some women – Rosemary West, Lucy Letby – are extremely violent and dangerous, and need to be contained.