Women offenders: after the Corston Report - United Kingdom ...
Women offenders: after the Corston Report - United Kingdom ...
Women offenders: after the Corston Report - United Kingdom ...
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Justice Committee: Evidence Ev 77While <strong>the</strong> number of staff working on an issue does not generate progress alone, we believe this is indicativeof a reduced commitment to this issue and is certainly evidence of reduced capacity to deliver <strong>the</strong> <strong>Corston</strong>agenda.2.3 A <strong>Women</strong>’s Justice BoardWe believe that <strong>the</strong> leadership needed could usefully come from a <strong>Women</strong>’s Justice Board. This governmenthas repeatedly rejected <strong>the</strong> idea of a <strong>Women</strong>’s Justice Board, <strong>the</strong> Prisons Minister said in January 2012:“We do not want to establish a women’s commission or board but would prefer to see <strong>the</strong> taxpayersinvestment pushed out to <strong>the</strong> frontline where it can make a more immediate impact on our prioritiesfor women”. 11We propose a <strong>Women</strong>’s Justice Board that looks at and leads on gender justice across government not justin <strong>the</strong> criminal justice system, scrutinising <strong>the</strong> work of all departments. <strong>Women</strong> do not offend in isolation fromsociety’s failings and solutions cannot come from <strong>the</strong> MOJ alone. Leadership outside of <strong>the</strong> criminal justicesystem would recognise <strong>the</strong> wider societal issues that affect women’s different routes both in and out ofoffending. This would be in line with <strong>the</strong> recommendation made by Baroness <strong>Corston</strong> that <strong>the</strong> responsibilityfor this agenda should move from <strong>the</strong> Home Office to <strong>the</strong> Department for Communities and Local Government.3. Integration Across GovernmentAs referenced in section 1.4, <strong>the</strong> Prison Ministers strategic priorities outlined in January commit tointegration across government departments. We wanted to present evidence on <strong>the</strong> progress of initiatives andactivities outlined. This information was sought from <strong>the</strong> MOJ; however, it was not available under <strong>the</strong> Freedomof Information Act 2000 as it exceeded <strong>the</strong> cost requirements. This lack of available information from <strong>the</strong> MOJand <strong>the</strong> continuous referral to o<strong>the</strong>r departments including Department of Health, Department of Work andPensions and Department of Communities and Local Government’s Troubled Families Team, we believeprovides concrete evidence that <strong>the</strong>re is no integration regarding <strong>the</strong>se initiatives and that departments areworking in silo.3.1 Mental HealthThe Prisons Minister stated that Mental Health Liaison and Diversion schemes would be running in allcourts and custody suites by 2014, including four women-only sites amongst <strong>the</strong> pilot sites. The potential forthis initiative to have a positive impact for women is dependent on gender specific delivery and sufficientlevels of gender-specific provision in <strong>the</strong> community for women who are diverted from custody. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmorewe are concerned about <strong>the</strong> availability of <strong>the</strong> £50 million committed by <strong>the</strong> Department of Health for <strong>the</strong>sediversion schemes.Information was requested from <strong>the</strong> MOJ under FOI.1. How many women-specific mental health and liaison schemes are currently running?2. What percentage of courts and custody suites will have women-specific mental health liaisonand diversion schemes by 2014?FOI unavailable due to cost, referral to The Department of Health.3.2 Drug Recovery Wings in PrisonThe Prisons Minister committed to drug recovery wings in three women’s prisons (HMP New Hall, HMPAskham Grange and a third to be confirmed). The success of such an initiative will depend on tailoring<strong>the</strong> interventions delivered in <strong>the</strong> drug recovery wings to meet <strong>the</strong> specific needs of women with substancemisuse issues.We have not found any evidence that services in <strong>the</strong> drug recovery wings in women’s prisons are tailoredto women.Information requested from <strong>the</strong> MOJ under FOI.— What steps have been taken to ensure that <strong>the</strong> services in drug recovery wings in women’sprisons are tailored to women?FOI unavailable due to cost, referral to <strong>the</strong> Department of Health.3.3 Violence Against <strong>Women</strong>The Minister outlined a number of activities in this area including <strong>Women</strong>’s Aid pilot in prison “<strong>the</strong> powerto change” and <strong>the</strong> NOM’s <strong>Women</strong> Awareness staff training to be delivered to all staff working within women’sprisons. We welcome <strong>the</strong>se activities, as offering a consistent framework of good practice for all staff workingwithin female prisons.11 Crispin Blunt, Speech to <strong>Corston</strong> Independent Funders Coalition (CIFC) (24 January 2012) http://www.justice.gov.uk/about/moj/departmental-board/crispin-blunt