- Conference
- 2007 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 25 October 2006
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that despite the shortage of prison places, and the current overcrowding in Britain’s jails, women are still far more likely to receive custodial sentences than men committing comparable crimes. Conference is also concerned to note that despite comprising only six per cent of the prison population, 55 per cent of all self-harm incidents in prison are committed by women, demonstrating that the mental health needs of women offenders are not being addressed under the current punitive justice system.
Conference supports the call by the Howard League for Penal Reform for the government to close women’s prisons, and to transfer resources to community programmes and treatment facilities that will tackle women’s needs and reduce re-offending. Conference supports the proposal that custody for women should be reserved for the violent and dangerous minority, with other women offenders receiving community services instead.
Conference believes that only through a radical new approach to the way women are treated by the criminal justice system will the specific issues associated with women offenders be addressed, issues which include disproportionate levels of suicidal behaviour, mental illness and drug and alcohol addiction.
Conference therefore instructs the National Women’s Committee to work with the National Executive Council, Labour Link and all Trades Union Congress affiliates to:
1)publicise the facts about women in prison;
2)seek support from the UNISON Parliamentary Group for a more radical and innovative approach to the treatment of female offenders;
3)liaise with the Howard League for Penal Reform and other relevant organisations on this issue;
4)invite Francis Crook of the Howard League for Penal Reform to address National Women’s Conference 2008.