UK: Fewer women could be sent to prison as Justice Secretary announces reforms

Article here. Excerpt:

'The Justice Secretary has announced moves to send fewer women to prison, as she warned jail time “forces” many of them into a “life of crime”.

Shabana Mahmood said a new women’s justice board will be tasked with reducing the number of women going into prison, with the “ultimate ambition” of having fewer women’s prisons.

She added a new strategy will examine early intervention to resolve cases before they go to court, “viable” community alternatives to prison and ways to address concerns over self-harm.

Ms Mahmood said a change of approach would “cut crime”, keep families together and prevent “harm” to the next generation.

There are 12 women’s prisons in England and Wales, a far lower number than the institutions used to house men, meaning they tend to be located further away from their families.'