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Punish women 'in the community' Punish women 'in the community'
(about 1 hour later)
Female offenders should be punished in the community rather than being sent to prison, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said.Female offenders should be punished in the community rather than being sent to prison, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said.
His comments came during a visit to HMP Eastwood Park, in Gloucestershire, where he met prisoners and wardens.His comments came during a visit to HMP Eastwood Park, in Gloucestershire, where he met prisoners and wardens.
Mr Straw said women prisoners were "very different" to men.Mr Straw said women prisoners were "very different" to men.
"We have to be sensible and humane in getting offending down in men and women, and we have to have different, but firm, approaches," he said."We have to be sensible and humane in getting offending down in men and women, and we have to have different, but firm, approaches," he said.
The prison currently holds 280 prisoners, below its capacity of 362, ranging from child abusers like nursery worker Vanessa George, to murderers and drugs and burglary offenders.The prison currently holds 280 prisoners, below its capacity of 362, ranging from child abusers like nursery worker Vanessa George, to murderers and drugs and burglary offenders.
'Self-respect''Self-respect'
Mr Straw said: "Female prisoners are very different to male prisoners, and while there is a consensus that we need to be tougher on male offenders there is also a broad consensus that where possible we should punish and reform females in the community and not in prisons."Mr Straw said: "Female prisoners are very different to male prisoners, and while there is a consensus that we need to be tougher on male offenders there is also a broad consensus that where possible we should punish and reform females in the community and not in prisons."
HAVE YOUR SAYWoman offenders should not be treated differently to men David Rowell, Southampton Send us your comments
He said the male population in prisons was rising but the number of women was decreasing.He said the male population in prisons was rising but the number of women was decreasing.
"A lot of serious women offenders have mental health issues and problems with drugs and alcohol abuse and self-harm."A lot of serious women offenders have mental health issues and problems with drugs and alcohol abuse and self-harm.
"Often that is caused by a lack of self-respect, so we need to give them confidence and an understanding about what they are doing.""Often that is caused by a lack of self-respect, so we need to give them confidence and an understanding about what they are doing."
Many female prisoners have children and were the principal caregiver, so being sent to prison disrupted both their and their children's lives, he added.Many female prisoners have children and were the principal caregiver, so being sent to prison disrupted both their and their children's lives, he added.
"We have to be sensible and humane in getting offending down in men and women, and we have to have different, but firm, approaches," he said."We have to be sensible and humane in getting offending down in men and women, and we have to have different, but firm, approaches," he said.