Recommendation 96

We heard about female offenders “facing multiple disadvantage who may have different competing and intersecting needs”. 182 Women in Prison also argued that “Black, Asian, minoritised and migrant women experience ‘double disadvantage’ as a result of the combined impact of sexism and racism that manifests at both a structural and interpersonal level, including when coming into contact with the justice system”. 183 Together Women told us that many women in the Criminal Justice System “have experienced trauma, abuse, and discrimination throughout their lives” and that “by considering factors such as personal circumstances, history of trauma, substance abuse, and mental health conditions, the requirements of a community sentence can be designed to address a woman’s specific challenges and needs”. 184 Lessons from women’s centres