Upgrade for Cells in Women’s Prisons

London: Up to 500 new prison cells are to be built in women’s jails, the Ministry of Justice has announced. These will be built in existing women’s prisons to increase the number of single cells available and improve conditions. They will include in-cell showers, and some will enable women to have overnight visits with their children to prepare for life at home after release. In future, older cells could also be shut if the prison population reduces.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has also pledged almost £2m in funding to 38 charities so their “vital work in steering women away from crime can continue”. This may include addressing mental health problems and drug use, both of which affect around half of women in prison.  Prisons minister Lucy Frazer said: “This funding boost will allow frontline services to continue the incredible work they do with some of the most vulnerable women in our society to prevent them being drawn into crime.” Announcing the funding, the government reiterated its promise to cut the number of women in custody and provide effective support to deal with problems which could lead to crime in the first place or reoffending. But it admitted there could be a temporary rise of inmates in the near future as the number of investigations and prosecutions is expected to increase amid the hiring of 20,000 more police officers.

BBC News, https://is.gd/ozGcQW