Prisons minister worried by trend

Alarm at Sharp Rise in Women Prisoners

A survey published by the National Association of Probation Officers, NAPO, says the female prison population has jumped by 76 per cent in the last four years. The survey says the rise comes despite a fall in the number of women convicted of serious crimes, suggesting the courts are treating women much more harshly.

The report said: "Nearly two-thirds of those serving short sentences have committed non-violent, less serious offences and would in all probability have received community penalties in 1993."

NAPO's secretary-general, Harry Fletcher, said the report highlighted the need for greater use of community sentences for women rather than jail terms.

Fletcher: "More women being jailed"

Fletcher calls for more non-custodial sentences

"Clearly, women are receiving longer sentences and more are being jailed, yet 70 per cent of those women who were received into custody last year were convicted of offences of theft, handling and fraud," said Mr Fletcher.

Ms Quin said she was worried about the number of women on remand in prison who were eventually given non-custodial sentences.

"There has been a move away from community sentencing and the work of the probation services. We would like that to be enhanced," said the minister. She agreed the latest figures were cause for concern:

"The Home Office has a duty to look at these figures and examine them very thoroughly. I am concerned about the number of women in jail."