UK: Merseyside's deputy police commissioner welcomes women-only review court

Article here. Excerpt:

'The women-only review courts will take place monthly from tomorrow (Friday, March 1) at the Complex Case Court at Sefton Magistrates Court.

They will examine the cases of females sentenced to community orders or suspended sentences with requirements, who will be invited to attend hearings where progress reports will be provided by their offender manager.

The hearings will provide an all-female environment where cases can be evaluated and where issues can be identified and addressed, with the aim of preventing problems from escalating to the point where the women may breach their orders, potentially triggering a prison sentence.

Up until now, the Complex Case Court has provided a system for reviews where both men and women's orders were considered, but by providing dedicated women-only courts the aim is to create an atmosphere which encourages better communication and understanding of the issues facing female offenders.'