NCJ Number
62098
Date Published
1979
Length
19 pages
Annotation
THIS MEMORANDUM FROM THE HOWARD LEAGUE FOR PENAL REFORM TO A BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS SUBCOMMITTEE CRITICALLY COMMENTS ON THE BRITISH PENAL SYSTEM AS IT AFFECTS WOMEN AND RECOMMENDS NUMEROUS CHANGES IN THE SYSTEM.
Abstract
IN NOVEMBER 1978, THE NUMBER OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN PRISON IN ENGLAND AND WALES REACHED A RECORD TOTAL OF 1,485, WHICH WAS 398 ABOVE THE RECOMENDED CAPACITY STANDARDS OF PENAL INSTITUTIONS FOR WOMEN. MANY WOMEN IN PRISON SHOULD NOT BE THERE. PROSTITUTES, HABITUAL DRUNKS, MANY YOUNG PERSONS, YOUNG ADULTS, AND MOTHERS SHOULD RECEIVE NONCUSTODIAL SANCTIONS. THE CURRENT PENAL SYSTEM DOES NOT CONSIDER THE NEEDS OF MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN. THE WELFARE OF THE CHILDREN SHOULD BE A MAJOR CONCERN OF THE COURT DURING SENTENCING. SEPARATING CHILDREN FROM THEIR MOTHERS SHOULD BE AVOIDED IF POSSIBLE, BY USING NONCUSTODIAL SANCTIONS OR BY BRINGING CHILDREN INTO THE PRISON. WOMEN INMATES SHOULD RECEIVE COUNSELING AND EDUCATION ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT. USE OF MEDICATION FOR CONTROL PURPOSES SHOULD BE MINIMIZED; CURRENT DRUG USE APPEARS TO BE EXCESSIVE. THE STRUCTURE OF THE PRISON SERVICE APPEARS TO BE UNDULY COMPLICATED AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. MORE MALE STAFF SHOULD BE USED IN INSTITUTIONS FOR FEMALES, AND VICE VERSA. CERTAIN PRISONS SHOULD BE CLOSED BECAUSE THEIR CONDITIONS ARE UNACCEPTABLE. ALSO SECURITY MEASURES ARE CURRENTLY EXCESSIVE AND SHOULD BE MODIFIED. CURRENT EFFORTS AT REHABILITATION THROUGH FOSTERING PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, PROVIDING EDUCATON AND TRAINING, AND ELIMINATING APATHY ARE INADEQUATE. STAFF AND MANAGEMENT SHOULD BE TRAINED AND CONSTANTLY REMINDED TO REGARD VARIETY, STIMULUS, AND RECREATION NOT AS PRIVILEGES BUT AS VITAL HUMAN NEEDS WHICH MUST NOT BE DENIED. NUMEROUS OTHER OBSERVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE HOWARD LEAGUE AND ITS PUBLICATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)