Arguments for the abolition of women’s prisons

“Prison doesn’t work for women,” Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood said as she announced plans to sharply reduce the number of women in prison in England and Wales during Labor Party Conference in September.

Created with the aim of reducing the number of women entering prison, the new body – the Women’s Justice Council – will have the “ultimate goal of reducing the number of women’s prisons”. The council will focus on early intervention strategies, alternatives to prison such as women’s residential centres, and reducing the high rates of self-harm in women’s prisons.