Gender, Crime and Justice

Key differences and similarities in relation to statistics: More men in actual numbers But the rate change is higher in female prisons

Allison Morris (1987) - traditional criminology ignores half of the population. Anne Worrall - ‘Offending Women’ Key differences and similarities Both sexes are supposed to be equal under the law but – academic and media attention tends to be focused on men

Gendered Media Reports Female ex-wrestler held over killings 28 January 2006 Female ex-wrestler held over killings The princess who became a spy 20 February 2006 The princess who became a spy It's not a crime for women to get drunk. It's just not very clever 26 November 2005 It's not a crime for women to get drunk. It's just not very clever Women do make the worst drunks. Maybe it's the sick'n'sequin mix November 2005 Women do make the worst drunks. Maybe it's the sick'n'sequin mix...

The nature and extent of female offending % imprisoned women % women in general population under 25 years old30%13% over 60 years old1%29% minority ethnic background18%4% under 20 years when first child born 55%20% single mothers 27%8% (taken from HORS 162)

Make-up of the Scottish prison population, 2002 MALES FEMALES Main crime number % number % Non-sexual crimes 2, of violence Crimes of indecency Crimes of dishonesty Fire-raising, vandalism etc Other crimes Including drugs Miscellaneous offences Motor vehicle offences Other Total 5,

Looking for Chivalry Naffine - Law and the Sexes - ‘male monopoly’ Home Office report (HORS Understanding the sentencing of women) 200 magistrates were interviewed

Worrall argues there are three factors: The extent of her domestic responsibilities The extent to which her problems can be treated The extent to which her lifestyle, appearance, behaviour and offence accord with feminine ‘normality’ and morality

Fines – the backdoor to prison Under payment of a £1.20 bus fare Having under inflated tyres Non-payment of TV licence (Probation Journal, June 1997, vol. 44 no.2).

Key Differences Offences: Women tend to commit less crime and their offences are generally less serious. In 2004, 36% of sentenced women had committed drugs offences while just 17% were convicted of violence against the person. Ethnic Minorities: 30% of female prisoners are from ethnic minorities in comparison to around 24% of the male prisoners.

Prison There are 17 women's prisons in England. Female young offenders are held in dedicated young offender units, and there are currently 5 purpose built female juvenile units. There are 7 mother and baby units. Around 55% of women in prison have a child 20% are lone parents

Few prisons means women are geographically distanced from their homes This can exacerbate mental health problems Up to 80% of women in prison experience mental health problems. 16% of women self-injure in prison, compared with 6% of young offenders, and 3% of men. Women consist only 5% of the total prison population yet account for almost half of all self-injury.

Community Sentences Similar percentage of female and male offenders are sentenced to community sentences

Women’s Prisons Askham Grange Brockhill Askham Grange Brockhill Bronzefield Buckley Hall Bullwood Hall Cookham Wood Downview Drake Hall East Sutton Park Eastwood Park Foston Hall Holloway Morton Hall Low Newton New Hall Peterborough Bronzefield Buckley Hall Bullwood Hall Cookham Wood Downview Drake Hall East Sutton Park Eastwood Park Foston Hall Holloway Morton Hall Low Newton New Hall Peterborough Send Styal Send Styal Styal Prison Operational Capacity: 455 as of 27th February 2004 Styal accepts adult female prisoners and, in some cases, young offenders. There are facilities for mothers with babies up to age 18 months.