Women in Prison

Justice Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 26 Apr 2021 Closed: 14 Sep 2023 Parliament page
This inquiry seeks to understand the progress made over the past 10 years to address female offending and reduce the number of women in custody. We also seek to understand how well female offenders’ needs are met in custody. Read the terms of reference to find out more about the inquiry .
31 Recommendations
13 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
21 Oct
2022
Report published
26 Jul
2022
Report published
15 Dec
2021
Correspondence
12 Nov
2021
Correspondence
2 Nov
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
19 Oct
2021
Formal meeting · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
14 Sep
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
20 Jul
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
6 Jul
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Women in Prison HC 265 26 Jul 2022 44 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
Clear
7 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Women in Prison
Consider establishing an overarching guideline or guidance for sentencing female offenders.
We recommend that the Sentencing Council considers whether an overarching guideline or guidance for sentencing female offenders is required.
Government Response
The government explicitly rejected the recommendation for an overarching sentencing guideline for female offenders, stating that the sentencing code already requires Pre-Sentence Reports (PSRs) and that they are addressing the issue through the ongoing PSR pilot, which includes female offenders as a priority cohort.
Ministry of Justice
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19 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Women in Prison
Set out complementary work being done alongside ACCT to prevent over-reliance on the process.
Although many witnesses have welcomed the revised ACCT process, we note the concern expressed by some that there may be an over-reliance on ACCT, and a perception that it is seen as an outcome in itself. Whilst the ACCT should … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation, explaining that a cross-agency group found no robust data sources for the issue and it is not practical to collect new data while focusing on reforms to prevent custody being used as a place of safety.
Ministry of Justice
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35 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - Women in Prison
Publish strategy to address education data gaps for incarcerated women, ensuring public availability
It is clear that there is a gap in education data for women, which makes it difficult to provide education that meets the specific needs that women may present with. We do not know their educational needs, whether they have … Read more
Government Response
The government explicitly rejected the recommendation, claiming the issue is already being addressed through other means. However, the subsequent explanation focused solely on strategies for reducing homelessness and providing accommodation services for prison leavers, including gender-specific provision and increasing women in open conditions, rather than addressing education data gaps for women.
Ministry of Justice
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Government Response AI assessment · 44 of 31 classified
Accepted 15
Acknowledged 1
Deferred 25
Rejected 3
Total 31 recs + 13 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
15 Dec 2021 To committee Letter from Victoria Atkins MP, Minister of State for Justice, dated 2 December 2021 on Women in Prison
Parliament page
12 Nov 2021 To committee Letter from London Prisons Mission, dated 1 November 2011, regarding Women in Prison inquiry
Parliament page