Girls behind bars: female experiences of justice

By Jeremy Dunning, senior adult beat journalist on March 9, 2011 12:01

Eve McDougall was 15 when she was sent to an adult prison for breaking a window.

The experience led to a chaotic lifestyle before she was able to turn her life around.

Now she is one of several artists appearing in a powerful exhibition demonstrating female offenders' experiences of the criminal justice system, which has been organised by mental health charity Together.

The exhibition marks four years since the ground-breaking Corston Report, which led to the provision of a national network of women's centres, and the development of bail support, including hostel places, to help keep vulnerable young women out of prison.

However, sustainable funding remains an issue, with many of the centres facing possible closure or reduction in services.

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 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.communitycare.co.uk/blogs/adult-care-blog/2011/03/girls-behind-bars-female-experiences-of-justice.html