A Critical Moment For Women In The Criminal Justice System

This week, the government announced a sentencing review that could fundamentally reshape the treatment of women within the system. Finally, ministers recognise that prison is not the solution – two-thirds of women incarcerated are serving time for non-violent crimes, many of whom are survivors of domestic abuse. Rather than addressing root causes, prison deepens trauma and entrenches women further into cycles of harm and hopelessness.

The stakes are higher than ever
The prison population is rising again, with projections indicating that 4,200 women could be incarcerated by 2027. Our prison system is already operating at capacity and is expected to run out of space by summer 2025. The evidence is clear: most women in prison need community-based support, not punishment. Short custodial sentences disrupt lives and fail to tackle the underlying issues, resulting in higher reoffending rates compared to community-based solutions.

We know what works – now is the time to act
At Together Women, we see daily how community-based solutions – like those offered by women’s centres – make a significant difference. These women require person-centred, holistic support for housing, mental health, and trauma recovery, not prison cells that exacerbate their challenges. This review is a monumental opportunity to finally end the punitive approach that has failed women for decades. Alternatives like abolishing short sentences and implementing community-based treatment are on the table. This is the breakthrough we’ve been fighting for.

A bold vision for the future
We can no longer settle for minor adjustments; now is the time for bold, transformative change.
Here’s what we demand:

1. End the remand of women: Remand should only be used for women who pose an immediate, high-level threat to public safety. Most women currently held on remand don’t meet this threshold, and many are eventually acquitted or given non-custodial sentences. Remanding women for low-level offences causes unnecessary harm to them and their families.
2. Abolish short custodial sentences for women: Evidence shows that short sentences inflict more harm than they provide benefits. We must invest in robust, community-based alternatives that address the real issues behind offending, such as trauma, mental health, and poverty.
3. Significant investment in women’s centres: These centres have a proven track record of reducing reoffending and supporting rehabilitation. The government must provide long-term, sustainable funding for these services, ensuring they become the default option for women.
4. Radical reform for women with caring responsibilities: Sentencing decisions must consider the devastating impact on families. Women with dependents should be diverted into community services that keep families together and mitigate intergenerational harm.
5. Prioritise physical and mental health: Too often, women with complex health needs are imprisoned due to a lack of available support in their communities. Sentencing must prioritise care and rehabilitation, ensuring that no one is incarcerated solely due to inadequate mental health or trauma-informed services.

This sentencing review is a crucial opportunity to enact meaningful, lasting change for women in the criminal justice system. However, achieving this extends beyond mere words and promises; it requires concrete action. We stand ready to lead this transformation – because real solutions come from building women up, not locking them away. Now is the time to raise our voices and advocate for a system that supports women, breaks cycles of trauma, and delivers true justice.