Call to reduce female prisoner numbers
14 Apr 05
Justice Minister urges non-custodial sentences against rise in number of women in jail
More woman should be given non-custodial sentences, Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson told MSPs yesterday.
Opening a debate in the Scottish Parliament, she said that short prison sentences are not the most appropriate way to tackle women's offending.
Recent figures show a 13% rise in the number of female prisoners last year to 336, from 297 in 2003. Offenders' groups say that women cope less well with prison than men and are more liable to self-harm.
MSPs backed a motion to encourage the use of community programmes and drug treatment services instead of jail sentences for female offenders.