Funding call for female offenders
Wednesday January 13 2010
Substantial investment is needed to deal with women offenders, a report for the Government has claimed.
A replacement women's prison and health and social care centres are needed, the University of Ulster (UU) review for the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) warned.
There are 35 women behind bars in Northern Ireland. Many are coping with the effects of mental illness and abuse and there has been significant growth in their numbers, the NIO said.
The report said: "In the development of responses to women who offend there is clear evidence that substantial, ongoing financial support is required."
The research, Addressing Offending by Women, a Literature Review, was carried out by Dr Una Convery from the UU.
It said a financial commitment is necessary to enable research, leadership and governance arrangements, database and information systems, measures to divert women from prosecution and custody, providing community-based services such as healthcare and a separate women's prison to replace Ash House.
"Further issues raised in the review which require long-term guarantees of financial support include the need to address workloads and training throughout the agencies working with women who offend," the paper said.
Other areas needing further investment include the provision of affordable accommodation, childcare support, education and training as well as measures to tackle poverty.
Security Minister Paul Goggins said in the dossier: "Although they make up only a small proportion of the overall prison population, women's imprisonment has an enormous impact, particularly on children and families.
"Indeed, the small numbers belie the point that too many women still end up in prison, when a wealth of research and experience shows that what is needed is a range of more creative and constructive alternatives."
Press Association
