Women Offenders
The Women Offenders Short Study is a joint project between the Ministry of Justice and the Social Exclusion Task Force, Cabinet Office. The report brings together existing data and new analysis on women offenders, highlighting the complexity of women offenders’ needs, and draws out opportunities for further improvement in systems and support.
Key findings:
- Women in prison represent a small proportion of the number of female offenders who pass through the criminal justice system each year. The majority of women offenders are young, are imprisoned for non-violent offences and serve very short sentences.
- Women offenders have a broad range of complex problems. They report high rates of mental health disorders, victimisation, abuse, and substance misuse. Most are low skilled and have little experience of employment. Though broadly similar, these needs diverge from those of male offenders in important ways.
- The majority of women offenders are estimated to be mothers, though there is no definitive information relating to the children of offenders. New analysis shows that children with mothers who have been in trouble with the law are at greater risk of poor outcomes such as poor parental interactions, anti-social behaviour and emotional problems.
- By the time they reach prison, the complexity of women offenders’ needs is likely to have been compounded; their offending behaviour may escalate, problems can be entrenched, and outcomes of the whole family can be affected.
- Important progress has been made, in particular since the publication of the Government’s response to Baroness Corston’s Report. There are a range of existing disposals, pilot initiatives and systems reforms underway.
- However, it is crucial that support is designed to fully identify and meet the complex and interrelated needs associated with social exclusion and address the underlying causes of offending behaviour.
- There may be great value in complementing existing provision with earlier, intensive and tailored support.
Analysis and Discussion Paper
Qualitative research
As part of the Women Offenders study, the Social Exclusion Task Force commissioned Policis, an independent research organisation, to undertake small scale qualitative research with women in prison, women offenders undertaking community sentences and girls and women at risk of offending.
