Week Eighteen - Length of Sentences vs. Family Impacts

Question 1

Short Sentences..

Answer 1

Most women entering prison serve very shortsentences. In 2014, 58% of sentenced womenentering prison were serving six months or less. In1993 only a third of women entering custody weresentenced to six months or less. These short sentences are long enough to disrupt the lives of women and their families significantly – women are still the primary caregiver in the vast majority of households.

Question 2

Child separated from mother figure in 2010

Answer 2

It is estimated that more than 17,240 childrenwere separated from their mother in 2010 byimprisonment.

Question 3

Parental imprisonment approximately trebles…

Answer 3

Parental imprisonment approximately treblesthe risk for antisocial or delinquent behaviour bytheir children.

Question 4

Women are often held further away from theirfamilies…

Answer 4

Women are often held further away from theirfamilies (due to the lower numbers of units), making visiting difficult and expensive.The average distance is 60 miles, but many are heldconsiderably further away.