Together exhibition explores female experiences of justice

09 March 2011

Female offenders’ experiences of the criminal justice system have been captured in a unique exhibition organised by mental health charity Together, marking four years since the ground-breaking Corston Report, which called for a radical new approach in dealing with vulnerable women offenders.

'Girls Behind Bars: Female Experiences of Justice' opens to the public today (9th March), and is on show to the public at the Together Our Space Gallery, London, until 10th June. The show was officially opened by Baroness Corston, the author of the report, at a private launch event yesterday evening.

Through the art and words of the prisoners and ex-offenders taking part, the exhibition aims to explore their lives, and what justice has been like, from their points of view. The show also includes a collaborative project between female prisoners and arts organisation Pharmacopoeia, which was initiated by The British Museum and funded by University College London.

The Corston Report, four years on

The Corston Report was commissioned by government following the tragic deaths of six women at Styal prison within a one year period. It looked at the experiences of vulnerable women within the criminal justice system and led to a £15.6m programme, which included the provision of a national network of women's centres, and the development of bail support, including hostel places, to help keep such women out of prison. However, sustainable funding remains an issue, with many of the centres facing possible closure or reduction in services.

Baroness Corston comments: “The women’s centres provide many offenders with their first real opportunity to address the root cause of their offending, and to take responsibility for their lives. They must receive the money they need to continue this important work.

“A huge amount has changed in the past four years, but there is still much more to be done. There are still far too many women in prison for non-violent offences, and they are far more likely than women outside prison to be mentally-ill, substance abusers, or to have experienced child or adult sexual abuse or violence.”

Over 70% of women prisoners have two or more mental health disorders and they account for 52% of self-harm incidents in prison, despite constituting only 5% of the prison population. Together, which directly works with women offenders through its diversion and offender management programmes, is calling for the continued funding of the women’s centres, and for a roll-out of diversion schemes nationally that can identify and divert such women away from custody and into community-based alternatives that address mental health needs.

To read full article, click here: http://www.together-uk.org/news/62/61/Together-exhibition-explores-female-experiences-of-justice