Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Deferred
Liaison and diversion women's pathways lack direct investment, leading to inconsistent provision.
Conclusion
Liaison and diversion (L&D) services play an essential role in identifying a woman’s need and diverting her from the criminal justice system where appropriate. We are pleased to hear that NHS England has achieved 100% geographical coverage of L&D services and that NHS England are currently enhancing the existing women’s pathways across all L&D services. We recognise the concerns raised by some that there has been no direct investment into women’s pathways, despite recognition that they are important. We know that services are not available at the same level and quantity across the country; this may lead to inconsistency in service provision for women. Additionally, a lack of funding in the women’s pathway may lead to some women continuing to enter the custodial estate, despite their needs being better addressed in the community. (Paragraph 46) Women in Prison 75
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation but responded by outlining a pre-sentence report (PSR) pilot, launched last year, aimed at improving the quality of information presented to court, with an evaluation report due in 2023, rather than addressing investment or consistency in L&D women's pathways.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
We accept this recommendation. As highlighted in the Sentencing White Paper published in September 2020, the MoJ launched the pre-sentence report (PSR) pilot last year in response to the significant decrease in PSRs being requested by the judiciary. The pilot is testing an Alternative Delivery Model which has been designed to improve the quality of information presented to court at each of the pilot sites and test whether elements of the Alternative Delivery Model lead to an increase in PSRs. An evaluation report will be published in 2023.