Women in Focus events call for women focussed services for vulnerable women offenders

A Government Equalities Office report published today confirmed that the best approach to support vulnerable women offenders and prevent them from re-offending is for the criminal justice system and community services to take their needs, which are different to male offenders, into account.

Women in Focus: Promoting Equality and Positive Practice was launched today at a one day conference for practitioners and policy makers. The conference brought together over 300 people from across the criminal justice system, third sector and partners working with women offenders, to discuss priorities, progress and challenges in delivering the Government's Strategy to Divert Women Away from Crime.

The report, which brings together the findings of the ten recent Women in Focus events that took place throughout England and Wales, will be used to support the implementation of the Government's strategy by the regional Directors of Offender Management and local authorities, in their commissioning of services for women offenders and women at risk of offending.

Participants at the events agreed a number of priorities on what is now needed to achieve a sustained change in the way women are dealt with in the criminal justice system. These include:

-- the need to promote and use the Gender Equality Duty to help make the case for different services for women offenders

-- ensuring that women offender's health needs are met

-- giving the Judiciary clear information on community provision in their areas

-- that success to date is due to agencies and services working in partnership, which is especially important given the wide range of issues facing many women offenders

-- the critical need for intervention at an early stage to address the impact on children and families

Maria Eagle, Deputy Minister for Women and Equality and Ministerial Champion for Women in the Criminal Justice System, said:

"Women offend in different ways and for different reasons to men. Many of these women need help overcoming abuse, mental ill health, alcohol or drug problems and they have children dependent on them.

"Prison should of course be reserved for the most violent offenders, but for non-violent offenders there are better options. By tackling the root cause of women's offending behaviour we will be better able to rehabilitate them. This will mean the women can go on to make a positive contribution to their communities, children will not be divided from their mothers and crime will be reduced.

"We have learnt a lot from the Women in Focus events and good progress is being made, as the recent figures showing a 5% reduction in the number of women in prison highlight, but there is much to do to achieve the sustained distinct approach that is needed. The cross-cutting themes offer an opportunity to consider what else needs to be done together to divert women and girls away from crime."

Women in Focus is part of the next stage of the Government's Strategy for Diverting Women Away from Crime. The events brought together a wide range of key local partners including healthcare workers, prison and probation officers, Crown Prosecution Service staff, and charities to share best practice of supporting non-serious women offenders to overcome problems such as domestic violence, mental ill health and alcohol or drug dependency - all of which can lead to re-offending.

The Ministry of Justice, the lead department in delivering the Government's Strategy for Diverting Women Away from Crime, has allocated £6.8m of funding for voluntary organisations to provide extra and enhanced community support for women at risk of offending. This follows the successful provision of £3.1 million last year for similar projects.

The Women in Focus report can be found at: http://www.equalities.gov.uk/publications_and_research/publications.aspx

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