Fewer women could be sent to prison as government announces 'historic' reform

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood has unveiled plans to reduce the number of women in prisons, saying imprisonment often "forces" women into a "life of crime".

At the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Ms Mahmood revealed the creation of a new women's justice board aimed at decreasing female prison numbers, with the "ultimate ambition" to have fewer women's prisons.

She said a fresh strategy will look into early intervention to settle cases before they reach court, "viable" community alternatives to custody, and measures to tackle the issue of self-harm among inmates.

Ms Mahmood argued that this shift in policy would "cut crime", preserve family units, and protect future generations from "harm". READ MORE: Major update in car finance probe as drivers face waiting longer for response With only 12 women's prisons in England and Wales, compared to many more for men, female prisoners often find themselves far from their families.