Action call over crowded female jail

Action call over crowded female jail

Campaigners claim there are suitable alternatives to prison

A West Yorkshire jail has been named as one of the most overcrowded women's prisons in the country.

The Prison Reform Trust (PRT) said urgent action is needed to improve conditions at eight female prisons including New Hall near Wakefield.

According to the PRT the number of women in jail nationally was 4,447 this week - a rise of 32 from August 2002.

Director Juliet Lyon said: "Few women offenders present a real risk to the public.

"For all but the most serious and violent offenders, support and supervision centres in local communities offer the best chance for women offenders to get out of trouble and take responsibility for their lives."

Minor offences

The number of women inmates has soared by 40% in five years, according to the PRT.

Support group Women in Prisons has said the problem of overcrowding at women's prisons lay with judges and magistrates jailing too many women for minor offences.

It said many female criminals turned to crime because of drug habits, debt and poor mental health, "which prison would only exacerbate".

The PRT added that reoffending figures from 1998 revealed 52% had committed a crime within two years of their release.