Women in prison in Scotland

[ArabellaScott]

Great article from a week or so ago in the Scotsman:

'The Scottish government has allocated £500 million for family support through ‘The Promise’ to revolutionise the lives of children who end up in care. So why don’t we go further and just not send women to prison – unless the gravity of the offence is so serious it is necessary'

www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/scottish-justice-the-financial-cost-of-putting-a-mother-in-prison-will-shock-you-the-true-cost-is-even-greater-karyn-mccluskey-3437698

The author, Karyn McCluskey, is an amazing woman, deserves huge plaudits for creating the 'violence reduction unit' in Scotland that tackled - and hugely reduced - violent crime. She now runs Community Justice Scotland.

I think she's someone the ScotGov should listen to.

Also from McCluskey on whether pregnant women shoudl be in prison:

www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/bronzefield-womens-prison-death-of-a-baby-in-jail-should-make-us-question-whether-pregnant-women-have-to-be-locked-up-karyn-mccluskey-3403653

I would far rather the money was spent in the way McCluskey - it will yield far greater value at a bare minimum and the wide-ranging benefits would be invaluable.

Yes, I hope her sensible and sane voice is heard.

Ta arabella