Revolving Doors welcomes women’s justice board announcement
Following the announcement that Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is reviewing the approaches taken towards female offending, with the aim of reducing the number of women going to prison, Revolving Doors Chief Executive Pavan Dhaliwal said:
“We wholeheartedly welcome the Secretary of State’s pledge to rethink the approach towards women in the justice system.
“The evidence couldn’t be clearer, the current approach isn’t working and change is long overdue. Many women caught up in the justice system are themselves victims of abuse and exploitation. They are overwhelmingly likely to be caught in a vicious cycle of unmet health and social needs, with devastating effects not only on themselves but on children and dependents too, widening cycles of crisis and crime. It’s time for an approach which tackles root causes and prioritises holistic, community-based support and long-term diversion out of the justice system.
“We are also particularly glad to see a commitment to ending short prison sentences for women – although we wish to highlight that, alongside the expansion of diversion initiatives, this is an approach which should be widened to the entire justice system via a presumption against costly and ineffective short sentences.”
