Member

We know that the risks to a woman’s pregnancy are increased if she is in custody. That is one reason why we asked the independent sentencing review to look at the needs of vulnerable groups, such as women, and we await its report. More widely, the Lord Chancellor and I have established a Women’s Justice Board, which has met twice this year. Its objective is clear and ambitious: to reduce the number of women going to prison and increase the number supported in the community. One of the initial key areas of focus for the board is improving outcomes for pregnant women and mothers of young children across the criminal justice system. I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Hollins, for her contribution and the professional and academic expertise she brings to this debate. I hope that this has reassured the right reverend Prelate and that she will not press her amendment.