Women were absent from this coverage despite the fact they were released under the scheme as well. It seems their presence in the criminal justice system does not enter public consciousness as much as men.
Prison is not – in the main – a good option for women. There are better ways of dealing with women who have committed crime, 69% of which is non-violent. Sadly, women of all ages – but especially younger ones – often end up in prison because of the actions of men and have their lives ruined as a consequence.
Coercion, exploitation and grooming puts girls under pressure to do things they would not have done otherwise. The early signs are usually subtle and girls will often identify exploiters and abusers as their boyfriends. Later, this leads to added trauma as girls try to reconcile themselves to the fact that the man they loved and cared for is in fact the reason their young life is now being spent in a prison cell.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
