Improving outcomes for female offenders

14/06/2011

The issue of how female offenders are dealt with in the criminal justice system is to be examined by a new Commission, the Scottish Government announced today.

The Commission's remit will be to find a more effective way of dealing with women offenders with a view to reducing reoffending. It is intended that this will ultimately reverse the continued steady rise in the female prison population, which has doubled in the last decade.

The announcement follows the publication today of a follow up report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) on Cornton Vale Prison and Young Offenders Institute which, among other things, underlines the importance of tackling the issue of overcrowding and calls for a national strategy.

The Commission, to be chaired by former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini will take forward a focused piece of work to review the evidence, identify what works to reduce reoffending, and report back to the Scottish Government by the end of this year. Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill said:"Heading the Commission, Elish Angiolini will bring her substantial experience and talent to examine one of the most pressing social justice issues of recent times. "The number of women in prison has more than doubled over the last decade - this situation cannot go on. In the 21st century, we must find a more effective way of dealing with these women and I am confident that the Commission will help us to do that. "I am determined that we turn the tide to improve conditions and reduce reoffending rates for female offenders for the benefit of society as a whole."

To read the full article, click here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/06/14111320