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Treatment of women in British courts varies widely Treatment of women in magistrates courts varies widely
(about 4 hours later)
Some magistrates' courts are four times more likely to send women to prison than others, according to figures obtained by the Howard League for Penal Reform. Some magistrates courts are four times more likely to send women to prison than others, according to figures obtained by the Howard League for Penal Reform.
Although magistrates are handing out fewer jail terms to women than in previous years, there is a wide disparity in the punishments imposed in different parts of the country.Although magistrates are handing out fewer jail terms to women than in previous years, there is a wide disparity in the punishments imposed in different parts of the country.
Magistrates' courts in Cumbria gave immediate custodial sentences in 2.7% of the cases they heard during 2011 – the last year for which full figures are available. Magistrates courts in Cumbria gave immediate custodial sentences in 2.7% of the cases they heard during 2011, the last year for which full figures are available.
That rate of imprisonment was almost four times the 0.7% recorded in criminal justice areas such as Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Northumbria and Wiltshire.That rate of imprisonment was almost four times the 0.7% recorded in criminal justice areas such as Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Northumbria and Wiltshire.
Overall, the percentage of women jailed by magistrates' courts in England and Wales has declined sharply. It stood at 2.2% in 2001, fell to 1.8% in 2006 and was down to 1.5% by 2011. Overall, the percentage of women jailed by magistrates courts in England and Wales has declined sharply, from 2.2% in 2001 to 1.8% in 2006 and 1.5% in 2011.
Frances Crook, the chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "We welcome the drop in the use of short prison sentences for women in recent years, but it remains the case that a woman convicted of a non-violent offence is more likely to go to prison than a man. Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "We welcome the drop in the use of short prison sentences for women in recent years, but it remains the case that a woman convicted of a non-violent offence is more likely to go to prison than a man.
"Women who find themselves in court often need a lot of support. They are often victims of crimes themselves such as domestic abuse or pimping. Sending these women to prison for a few weeks is not the answer to the complex issues in their lives."Women who find themselves in court often need a lot of support. They are often victims of crimes themselves such as domestic abuse or pimping. Sending these women to prison for a few weeks is not the answer to the complex issues in their lives.
"We are concerned that legislation currently going through parliament may make the situation for women worse. The offender rehabilitation bill extends short prison sentences with a year of supervision in the community but it is unclear how specialist services for women will survive as the government seeks to privatise probation using large regional contracts that will squeeze out small local providers.""We are concerned that legislation currently going through parliament may make the situation for women worse. The offender rehabilitation bill extends short prison sentences with a year of supervision in the community but it is unclear how specialist services for women will survive as the government seeks to privatise probation using large regional contracts that will squeeze out small local providers."
The maximum sentence that a magistrates' court can impose is a six-month prison term, or up to 12 months in total for more than one offence. The maximum sentence that a magistrates court can impose is a six-month prison term, or up to 12 months in total for more than one offence.
Magistrates' courts handed down almost 287,000 sentences to women and girls in 2011, imposing immediate custody in more than 4,300 cases (1.5%). Four in five women were fined, and about 9% of cases resulted in a community sentence. Magistrates courts handed down almost 287,000 sentences to women and girls in 2011, imposing immediate custody in more than 4,300 cases (1.5%). Four in five women were fined, and about 9% of cases resulted in a community sentence.
But the Magistrates Association rejected the suggestion that some courts are over-using custody. It said that geographical differences, including availability of alternatives to custody, affect the sentencing of women. The Magistrates Association rejected the suggestion that some courts are over-using custody. It said that geographical differences, including availability of alternatives to custody, affect the sentencing of women.
Val Castell, the vice chairman of the association's sentencing committee, said: "Just because some courts have to impose more custodial sentences than others does not mean that they are necessarily overusing custody. Val Castell, vice-chairman of the association's sentencing committee, said: "Just because some courts have to impose more custodial sentences than others does not mean that they are necessarily overusing custody.
"We support the government's initiative in setting up an advisory board for women offenders and believe this will influence more consistent provision for women offenders nationally. At least one women's centre has recently widened the area of residence for which they will provide sentence support.""We support the government's initiative in setting up an advisory board for women offenders and believe this will influence more consistent provision for women offenders nationally. At least one women's centre has recently widened the area of residence for which they will provide sentence support."