Women should get time out of jail to see their children

Women should get time out of jail to see their children – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 15, 2012

Given that the majority of women in prison are serving sentences as a result of non-violent crimes, there is a need to reconsider whether many of them should be separated from their children in the first place (Women should get time out of jail to see their children, Daily Telegraph 14.02.2012). Women are over-represented in the cohort of prisoners serving short prison sentences – at huge expense to the taxpayer. Not only are such sentences ineffective, but they also plunge families into deeper crisis. Tough and effective community sentences, don’t punish innocent children but can ensure mothers address their behaviour and get their lives back on track. Such sentences also come at much less cost to the taxpayer.

Roma Hooper

families, prison, rehabilitation, telegraph, women

Roma Hooper

Roma has worked in and around the criminal justice system since 1992, when she was asked to help set up Britain’s first prison radio station at Feltham Young Offenders’ Institution. She has a Masters in Criminal Justice Policy from the London School of Economics, is Chair of the Griffins Society (supporting women in the criminal justice system), Vice-Chair of the Foundation Training Company (which runs a series of prison and community based resettlement and development programmes) as well as Chair and Founder of the Prison Radio Association. In 2010 she launched Make Justice Work, a campaign to highlight the cost of short-term prison sentences and to improve public confidence in community sentences.