Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
First Report - Women in Prison
Justice Committee
HC 265
Published 26 July 2022
Recommendations
7
Rejected
Para 49
Consider establishing an overarching guideline or guidance for sentencing female offenders.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Sentencing Council considers whether an overarching guideline or guidance for sentencing female offenders is required.
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly rejected the recommendation for an overarching sentencing guideline for female offenders, stating that the sentencing code already requires Pre-Sentence Reports (PSRs) and that they are addressing the issue through the ongoing PSR pilot, which includes female offenders as a priority cohort.
Ministry of Justice
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19
Rejected
Para 117
Set out complementary work being done alongside ACCT to prevent over-reliance on the process.
Recommendation
Although many witnesses have welcomed the revised ACCT process, we note the concern expressed by some that there may be an over-reliance on ACCT, and a perception that it is seen as an outcome in itself. Whilst the ACCT should …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation, explaining that a cross-agency group found no robust data sources for the issue and it is not practical to collect new data while focusing on reforms to prevent custody being used as a place of safety.
Ministry of Justice
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35
Rejected
Para 188
Publish strategy to address education data gaps for incarcerated women, ensuring public availability
Recommendation
It is clear that there is a gap in education data for women, which makes it difficult to provide education that meets the specific needs that women may present with. We do not know their educational needs, whether they have …
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Government Response Summary
The government explicitly rejected the recommendation, claiming the issue is already being addressed through other means. However, the subsequent explanation focused solely on strategies for reducing homelessness and providing accommodation services for prison leavers, including gender-specific provision and increasing women in open conditions, rather than addressing education data gaps for women.
Ministry of Justice
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