What We Do

Resources and Publications

The Prison Reform Trust has published a number of reports, briefings and consultation responses on issues relating to women in the criminal justice system…

	CAPPTIVE: Women's experiences of prison during the Covid-19 lockdown regime September 2021 This briefing, based on evidence from women in prison highlights the consequences of a restricted regime amounting to 'prolonged solitary confinement', during the Covid-19 lockdown regime. Download here. Read the press release here.
	Why focus on reducing women's imprisonment? July 2021 This briefing provides a concise explanation of the need to focus on reducing women's imprisonment. It contains key facts on the number of women imprisoned, the characteristics of women in prison, as well as information about community-based services and solutions. Download here. Read the press release here.
	Female Offender Strategy matrix April 2021 This briefing tracks the implementation of commitments made in the government's 2018 Female Offender Strategy, most of which are vaguely worded and unclear. Of 65 commitments, 31 have been fully achieved, 20 partially achieved, and there has been no progress or measurable implementation of 14. Download here. Read the press release here.
	Safe Homes for Women Leaving Prison October 2020 This briefing published in collaboration with London Prisons Mission, the Church of St Martin in the Fields and HMP&YOI Bronzefield exposes a failing system that leaves thousands of women released from prisons with just £46, a plastic bag, no where to live and the threat of a return to custody if they miss their probation appointment. Download here. Download the press release here.
	Transforming Lives: a study looking at the landscape of support for women who offend and ways to move forward in Northern Ireland Spring 2020 This briefing published by NIACRO as part of their involvement in the UK wide Transforming Lives programme calls for a radical new approach to women who offend in Northern Ireland. Download here Read the press release here
	Working it Out: Improving employment opportunities for women with criminal convictions February 2020 This updated briefing summarises research on employment opportunities and outcomes for women offenders. The report identifies the particular barriers they face and highlights good pactice in the community and in prisons. Download here Read the press release here
	Transforming Lives evaluation - lessons for future advocacy September 2019 This policy briefing from PRT and NatCen summarises learning from the first phase of the independent evaluation of the Transforming Lives programme aimed at reducing the unnecessary imprisonment of women, covering the period 2016 to 2018. The evaluation aimed to examine how the advocacy and influencing work undertaken with a range of governmental, criminal justice and third sector organisations may have contributed to changes in policy, practice or approaches to women's justice. The briefing identifies three effective influencing strategies used by the programme and explores lessons for future advocacy. Download here
	Why focus on reducing women's imprisonment August 2019 These documents provide a brief, concise and informative explanation on the need to focus on reducing the imprisonment of women in the UK. Download England and Wales here Download Northern Ireland here Download Scotland here Download Wales here
	Out of the Shadows May 2019 This report draws on the experiences of 24 women with learning disabilities in contact with, or on the edges of, the criminal justice system; and practitioners working within criminal justice, social care, and women's services. Abuse by men lay behind the offending behaviour of most of the participating women. Download here Read the press release here
	Broken Trust: the rising numbers of women recalled to prison December 2018 This report reveals that over 1,700 women were recalled to prison in England and Wales during the last year, and that reforms which were intended to help are making things worse. Women are trapped in the justice system rather than being enabled to rebuild their lives. Download here Read the press release here
	Leading change: the role of local authorities in supporting women with multiple needs October 2018 This report suggests way in which local leaders and councillors can make a positive difference to the daily lives of women and children, helping them to lead healthy, fulfiling and productive lives. Download here Read the press release here
	Still no way out September 2018 This report considers experience of foreign national women and trafficked women in the criminal justice system in England and Wales. It drew upon data from a number of sources, including evidence gathered by Hibiscus. The report makes detailed recommendations for reform. Download the summary report here Download the full report here Read the press release here
	What about me? July 2018 This report considers the impact on children of maternal imprisonment, finding that this not only damages the child’s relationship with their mother, but can affect every area of their lives, including their housing, education, health, and well-being. The report makes detailed recommendations for reform. Download here Read the press release here
	Home truths: housing for women in the criminal justice system June 2018 This report found a chronic shortage of housing support for women released from custody is driving them back to prison. Download here Read the press release here
	Oxford University and the Prison Reform Trust create new resources to improve the understanding of the impacts of maternal imprisonment. Click here to listen to Dr Shona Minson discussing the new resources on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour. (Click this link to see the video on YouTube) Read the press release here
	Responding to the needs of women in the criminal justice system January 2018 This report provides an overview of the training delivered to Criminal Justice professionals and members of the judiciary on the specific needs of women in the criminal justice system, and makes recommendations for the further development of training modules and how they might be delivered. Download here
	"There's a reason we're in trouble" - Domestic abuse as a driver to women's offending December 2017 This report identifies strong links between women's experience of domestic and sexual abuse and coercive relationships, and their offending. Download here The Criminal Bar Association has produced an accompanying briefing on the defences available for women defendants who are victims/survivors of domestic abuse. Download here Read the press release here
	Triage and diversion: Getting it right 24/7 November 2017 Report of a seminar held early 2017 with Police Scotland considering the benefits and opportunities of early interventions for women. Download here Read the press release here
	Why focus on reducing women's imprisonment in Scotland? November 2017 An updated briefing highlighting progress made in Scotland, it contains key facts and figures on women imprisoned in Scotland, the characteristics of women in prison and the drivers to their offending, as well as information about community-based services and solutions. Download here
	Counted Out: Black, Asian and minority ethnic women in the criminal justice system August 2017 This briefing highlights the different experiences of women from minority ethnic groups in the criminal justice system. We propose measures to help ensure that women are not disadvantaged in their contact with criminal justice agencies because they are Black, Gypsy, Roma or Traveller, Asian, Muslim or from any other minority ethnic or religious group. Download here Read the press release here Read the executive summary here
	Fair Cop? Improving outcomes for women at the point of arrest March 2017 This briefing looks at the variations in how police forces deal with women who come into the criminal justice system, and provides solutions and examples of positive work being delivered by police to tackle low level, non-violent crime committed by women. Download here
	Why focus on reducing women's imprisonment? February 2017 This updated briefing summarises the evidence relating to women in the criminal justice system and builds the case for reducing the imprisonment of women for minor offences Download here. Download the Scottish supplement here.
	Leading Change: the role of local authorities in supporting women with multiple needs October 2016 This report sets out the case for change and suggests practical ways in which local authorities can prioritise and address the needs of some of the most vulnerable citizens in their local area. Download here.
	Home truths: housing for women in the criminal justice system September 2016 This report summarises research on housing for women in the criminal justice system, identifies the barriers they face and highlights best practice across the UK Download here.
	Women and Criminal Justice in Scotland: event report March 2016 This report provides a summary of the discussions that took place at the 'Women and Criminal Justice in Scotland' event that Prison Reform Trust jointly hosted with the Criminal Justice Sector Voluntary Forum (CJSVF). Download here.
	Sentencing of Mothers: Improving the sentencing process and outcomes for women with dependent children November 2015 This discussion paper provides an overview of current sentencing practice for women with dependent children and sets out a number of proposals for improving the operation of the justice system. Download here
	Why focus on reducing women's imprisonment July 2015 This briefing summarises the evidence relating to women in the criminal justice system and builds the case for reducing the imprisonment of women for minor offences Download here
	Transforming Lives: Reducing Women's Imprisonment January 2015 This report, based upon evidence collected by the Soroptimists, provides a country-by-country overview of current practice relating to women in the criminal justice system Download full report here Download the Scotland-specific section of the report here Download the Wales-specific section of the report here
	Working it out: Employment for women offenders January 2015 This briefing summarises research on employment opportunities and outcomes for women offenders, identifies the particular barriers they face and highlights good practice in the community and in custody Download here
	Brighter Futures March 2014 This report profiles innovative approaches to reducing women’s offending and calls for the development of coordinated services that bring together police, health, women’s services and local authorities to help women turn their lives around. Download here
	International good practice: alternatives to imprisonment for women offenders September 2013 An information resource produced by the Prison Reform Trust to inspire and support efforts to reduce the unnecessary imprisonment of women. Download here
	Action Pack: Reducing Women's Imprisonment April 2013 This action pack has been produced by the Prison Reform Trust in partnership with the Soroptimist UK Programme Action Committee to inform and support the Soroptimists’ campaign to end the unnecessary imprisonment of women in the UK. Download here
	No Way Out: A briefing paper on foreign national women in prison in England and Wales January 2012 This briefing, drawing on the experience and work of the charity FPWP Hibiscus, the Female Prisoners Welfare Project, recommendations which could be used to inform a much-needed national strategy for the management of foreign national women in the justice system. Download here
	Reforming Women's Justice: The Final Report of the Women's Justice Taskforce June 2011 The final report of the Women's Justice Taskforce summarises the wide-ranging review of women's justice and makes a series of recommendations for reform of the system Download here
	Lacking conviction: The rise of the women's remand population August 2004 This report reveals a widespread misuse of custody and examines its impact on some of the most vulnerable women in society. Download here
	Troubled Inside: Responding to the Mental Health Needs of Women in Prison 2003 This report draws on conference papers and recent research findings to improve and accelerate the response from the authorities to women offenders with mental health needs, so that they get the treatment they need, and fewer are imprisoned inappropriately Download here