Analyzing Women in Prison: A Socio-Legal Perspective

This assignment requires a detailed analysis of women in prison, focusing on their demographics, characteristics, and experiences. The provided sources include academic articles, government reports, and online resources that offer insights into the socio-legal context of female imprisonment. The task involves extracting relevant information from these sources, identifying key themes and patterns, and synthesizing the findings to provide a comprehensive understanding of women in prison. This assignment is essential for students interested in criminology, sociology, law, and social justice.

Rehabilitation of Violent Women
Offenders in Prison

Abstract
Rehabilitation is the process of providing care and treatment to the offenders who were
found guilty in criminal activities in the prison in order to their reduce their offensive behaviour
so that they can no longer be danger to the society. In the research study, various aspects of
rehabilitation and background of women offenders has been discussed. The crimes committed
by females are different from the crimes committed by males. In United Kingdom, women
accounts for 5% of total prison population. In November 2017 the number of women in prison in
England and Wales stood at 4035. In 2014 – 2015, 1.3 % of females were found guilty in crime
according to the report of The Criminal Justice System of United Kingdom. In the research
study, the factors such as mental health disorder, emotional distress, relationship instability and
drug addiction that influences the women offenders’ psychology has been identified. More than
half of women population were victims of violence in the prison of United Kingdom. Eventually,
different rehabilitation programmes like Policy Triage Scheme, building skills for recovery, the
women programme, CARE programme has been identified in the research study.

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1....................................................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 2: BACKGROUND OF WOMEN OFFENDERS.......................................................6
CHAPTER 3: VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE.....................................................................................11
CHAPTER 4: REHABILITATION...............................................................................................16
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION......................................................................................................21
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................23

CHAPTER 1
Title – An appraisal on rehabilitation of violent women offenders in prison.
Introduction
In comparison with male offenders the female offenders have been paid less attention as
they were found less in criminal activities. However, the population of female offenders has been
substantially increasing in many nations recently which has raised the demands of effective
treatment of female offenders (Khalifeh and et.al., 2016). The offences committed by female
offenders are different from those committed by male offenders either in terms of offense or
motive for the offences. Arising from biological differences in female offenders they require
special consideration in human rights issue and must be given precise treatment so that their
offending behaviour can be eliminated (Lombard and et.al., 2015).
There are 12 prisons in England where women offenders are held. There are no women
prison in Wales. One prison has been established in Scotland to keep women offenders and in
Ireland, women offenders are held in a unit within a male young offenders. In contrast with this
statement, the present study will concentrate on the rehabilitation of violent women offenders in
prison. The dissertation will be conducted in the precise and systematic manner which helps the
end users to comprehend the concepts clearly and efficiently. The research further helps in
understanding about the factors that causes women to commit offensive crimes. In the present
era, crime rates are increasing drastically not only in United Kingdom but every corner of the
world. In order to deal with criminals, rehabilitation has been provided to them in the prison so
that they can no longer be danger to the society. Women offenders are less likely to be found in
criminal activities as compared to men. Thus, the research will help in comprehending the
rehabilitation programmes that were put in place in previous years in order to improve the
conditions of women. Researcher will focus on accomplishing the aim and objectives by using
appropriate research methodology and approaches. Secondary data collection methods will be
used in the dissertation in order to acquire the exact statistics of rehabilitation of women
offenders in prison in United Kingdom. Eventually, the researcher will analyse the positivistic
approach to rehabilitation.
Background of Research
In the present era, crime rates are increasing drastically not only in United Kingdom, but
every corner of the world. In order to deal with criminals, rehabilitation has been provided to
1

them in the prison so that they can no longer be danger to the society. Women offenders are less
likely to be found in criminal activities as compared to men (Scopes, van der Linden and
Gleeson, 2015). Albeit, 10% of total offenders are women in United Kingdom. There were many
issues due to which women committed crime or found engage with criminals in criminal
activities. Mental health was considered as one of the factor that influences the women towards
criminal activities. 5% of total population found in 21% of all incident of self-harm in prison of
United Kingdom were women (Hawton and et.al., 2014, pp 1147-1154).
This was considered as disproportionate amount of self-harm in prison. Women in
custody are five times more likely to have a mental health concern than women in the general
population. 46% of women were found commuting suicide in prison at some point in their
lifetime (Key facts, 2017). This implies, that mental health indeed impacts on the women
psychology and force them to commits offensive crimes. Another factors that influences the
women on wrong path is addiction (Donnelly and et.al., 2015). In the study, it was identified
that, nearly one in three British Adults have taken an illegal substance and fifth of those still do
so. 27% of total population were found taking illegal drugs and which increases to 31% in 2014.
Out of total population, 25% women were found to be taking illegal drugs. This is considered as
serious crime which impacts on both their health and psychology (Mann, 2014). Economic
pressure is one of the factors that influence the women towards wrong directions. Women
frequently pointed to the financial pressures. Raising debt and other pressures influences the
women to commit offensive crimes like theft and burglary. Thus, the researcher will focus on all
these issues and points out the rehabilitation of women prisoners in United Kingdom.
The crimes committed by females are different from the crimes committed by males. In
United Kingdom, women accounts for 5% of total prison population. In November, 2017 the
number of women in prison in England and Wales stood at 4035. In 2014 – 2015, 1.3 % of
females were found guilty in crime according to the report of The Criminal Justice System of
United Kingdom (Women and the criminal justice system statistics 2015, 2017). It was found
that female offenders committed crimes which were related with thefts and illegal drugs related.
The women prisoner population got doubled between 1995 and 2010 from 1979 to 4236 (Key
facts, 2017). According to report of Ministry of Justice, (2013), 45000 pounds has been incurred
to keep a woman in prison for one year. In 2010, 45 per cent of total women prisoners were
released, committed more than 10000 offences and creating countless more victims within one
2

year. For women serving fewer than 12 months in prison, the re offending rate rises to a
staggering 55.6 per cent. 56 per cent of offenders who suffered from background of abuse has
been taken into care. In 2011, many cases were being reported where female offenders attempt to
kill themselves in the prison. (Key facts, 2017).
Rationale of Study
The reason for conducting the study is to comprehend the aspects of rehabilitation of
women in prison. As number of crime committed by women has been dramatically increased in
United Kingdom, the reason for conducting the research was to understand the rehabilitation
approaches used by the Ministry of Justice in United Kingdom to improve the behaviour and
psychology of women.
Women in Justice System
As per the observation survey conducted in England and Wales, it was identified that
there was no significant difference between the crimes committed by males and crimes
committed by women. Women were less likely to be found engage in criminal activities like
domestic violence, thefts and taking illegal drugs. Female further found serving shorter sentences
in the prison and almost 9% of women prisoners were admitted to the custody. However, female
prisoners were more likely to be found doing self-harm. Most of the women prisoners serve short
sentences in United Kingdom. One in four women sent to the prison in year 2017 and more than
1500 women were sentenced to one month or less with almost 300 of them were sent to the
prison for rehabilitation under two weeks. 63 per cent of women in June 2016 have served in
prison for less than or equal to six months. Though, the per cent got increased by six to 69% in
2017.
3

From the above graph, it can be understood that 84% of women who serve a sentence for non-
violent offence, 48 per cent women say their offence is to support someone else's drug use. 28
per cent women were suffering from financial crisis that force them to rob and steal and 22 per
cent of women were first time offenders.
4

The above chart shows the total number of women prisoners who have served sentences in the
prison in 2011. From the chart, it can be clear that majority of women prisoners have served less
than or equal to 6 months in United Kingdom. A small proportion of women prisoner have
served for more than or equal to 4 years. These prisoners were charged for violent and cruel
crimes like murders, kidnapping, etc. It was identified that majority of women who discharged
from prison were again caught in criminal activities in less than one year.
5
Illustration 1: Women entering prison under sentence
(Source: Women in prison, 2012 )

From the above illustration, it can be understood that women were less likely to re-offend as only
18% of total women offenders were caught re offending. This is particularly true in relation to
the most serious offence types and sentences, though patterns by sex vary between individual
offences. Females were also typically under-represented among practitioners in the CJS and
among victims of violent crime, although they were more likely than males to have been a victim
of intimate violence or child abuse. Trends over time for each sex often mirror overall trends,
though this is not always the case.
6

CHAPTER 2: BACKGROUND OF WOMEN OFFENDERS
According to Berko, Erez and Globokar, (2010) more than thousands of cases have been
reported in 2015 among which majority of the cases were of violence against the person. Women
population in the prison of England and Wales were more than double in the year between 1995-
2010. Though, the number has been declined by 10% from 4279 to 3281 in 2016. From the
studies, it was identified that UK has the largest number of women imprisonment in whole
Europe.
Martellozzo, Nehring and Taylor, (2010) elucidated that the rate of women offenders are
decreasing but the rate of offences remains stable in the country. It’s true that majority of women
offenders serves less than a year in the prison, but it does not deter them from committing crime
again. Many of them were caught again by police in minor or major crimes. Women offenders
have a broad range of needs. They have experienced high rate of mental health disorders, abuse,
victimisation and drug addiction and misuse (Berko, Erez and Globokar, 2010). Furthermore,
they have low skills and rates of unemployment. Emotional well-being is one of the major reason
due to which majority of female found in crimes and criminal activities. According to Murdoch,
Vess and Ward, (2012) 60 per cent of the women suffered from emotional distress and have
7

psychological issues. This impacts on their day to day life activities and they produce destructive
ideas that drive them towards path of crime.
In a study conducted by Visher and Bakken, (2014) found that females who have
problems and issues in their life suffered from emotional distress. In most of the cases women
suffers from high levels of mental health issues and social isolation which includes self-harm and
low self-esteem as a result of history of victimisation. Emotional distress negatively impacts on
the psychology of women which torments them and forces them to commits criminal activities.
This implies, that mental health indeed impacts on the women psychology and force them to
commits offensive crimes. Harner, Hanlon and Garfinkel, (2010) contends that accommodation
is another factor due to which women tends to commit crime. As per the report of Criminal
Justice System of United Kingdom, it was found that 33 per cent of women engage in crime due
to accommodation needs. In order to seek for shelter to protect their family and children, women
tends to indulge in criminal activities. Furthermore, it was found that majority of women commit
minor offence just to have accommodation in prison. It was astonishing when researcher found
that majority of women offenders conduct minor thefts and offences so that police arrest them
and put them behind bars (Martellozzo, Nehring and Taylor, 2010). In many interrogations with
women offenders it was identified that if they will get no accommodation, then they will commit
crime and criminal activities to have accommodation in prison.
van der Knaap, Oosterveld and Born, (2012) said that women who suffered from
relationship issues in their life tend to perpetrate more crime as compared to males. It was found
that 59% of women who suffered from relationship issues were found engaged in criminal
activities and thefts. OASys data connotes that poor childhood experiences and poor close family
relationships and abuse impacts on the behaviour of women. Stability in relationship proves to be
successful as re offending got minimised after it and women in unstable relationship tends to
perpetrate more crimes and addicted to drugs which are illegal and illegitimate. Scroggins and
Malley, (2010) argues that relationship can be considered as one of the element of core set of
factors that influences the mind and mentality of women. Women are emotionally sophisticated
and if being hurt, they can commit crime ranging from negligible to severe. Thus, it implies that
instability in relationship can be considered as the factor that impacts on the women behaviour
and psychology.
8

According to Gannon and Cortoni, (2010, p. 44) lifestyle and associate factors influences
30 per cent that is third of women to perpetrate crime and found in criminal activities. Society
and surrounding factors plays key role in influencing the women. Poor community integration
impacts on the psychology and behaviour of women and they tend to develop more insolent and
unpleasant behaviour in them. Messina, Cartier and Torres, (2010) said that partnering with
criminals also influences women and they also become criminals. Thus, it implies that lifestyle
and associates negatively impacts on the behaviour of women and makes them criminals and
offenders. Women who suffered from societal pressure and want to show their status in society
attempt for minor to major thefts. This negatively impacts on her behaviour and make them
offenders. Women perpetrate crimes due to societal pressure or poor community integration. 30
per cent of women cases found where women commits minor to moderate thefts in order to fulfil
their desires and motives (Murdoch, Vess and Ward, 2012).
Guydish and et.al., (2011) enunciated that due to lack of employment and low level of
skills and competencies women tends to engage in criminal activities. It was found that 58 per
cent of women offenders identified unemployed and unskilled which as an issue contribute to
their offending. Unemployment is the major reason in United Kingdom which influences most of
the people to perpetrate crime. Furthermore, it was found that women surpass the male
percentage in doing crime just because they are unemployed and facing financial issues. Women
who have low level of skills and competencies do not able to find an efficient job according to
their type which can secure their future (Visher and Bakken, 2014). Thus, they tend to commit
minor and major thefts in order to fulfil their desires and motives (Sheehan, McIvor and Trotter,
2013, p.120). Economic pressure is one of the factors that influence the women to stroll towards
wrong directions. Women frequently pointed to the financial pressures. Raising debt and other
pressures influences the women to commit offensive crimes like theft and burglary.
As per the views of Covington, Griffin and Dauer, (2011) financial pressure and debts is
considered as one of the leading cause that influences women offenders. It was found that 25 per
cent of women found doing criminal activities due to financial pressure and financing needs. In
order to show status in societies, people tend to commit crimes and thefts. Women offenders in
order satisfy their needs or to recover from the financial debts perpetrates crimes and criminal
activities. Matheson, Doherty and Grant, (2011) said that in the present era where crime rates are
increasing drastically not only in United Kingdom, but every corner of the world. In order to deal
9

with criminals, rehabilitation has been provided to them in the prison so that they can no longer
be danger to the society. Women offenders are less likely to be found in criminal activities as
compared to men.
Wijkman, Bijleveld and Hendriks, (2010) said that drug misuse influences the women
offenders and women got addicted to illegal drugs. In the study, it was identified that 25 per cent
of women had a drug misuse issue linked to offending behaviour while 27 per cent of women
reported to form a current serious drug use. Misuse of drugs are illegitimate in law of United
Kingdom and if anyone found misusing the drugs and showing offending behaviour in public has
to face legal consequences. Women who found taking drugs reported that due to financial
instability, poor relationship or poor community integration women addicted towards using
drugs. Murdoch, Vess and Ward, (2010) said that taking drugs not only affect their behaviour,
but also affects their health. In a study, it was found people who got addicted to harmful drugs
were not able to live much. Furthermore, people took drugs tends to show offensive behaviour
and thus faces legal circumstances.
According to Jolliffe, Palmer and Hollin, (2011) 31 per cent of female offenders were
found with alcohol misuse problems. Women offenders who misuse alcohol intake influence on
their behaviours and psychology. Women who suffered from psychological disorder or
emotional trauma tend to addict towards alcohol. Their addiction got enlarged and they suffered
from misuse of alcohol problems. Many offenders’ responds that due to family distress and
issues they started taking alcohol in order to get relief. It influences them negatively and they
perpetrate crimes in order to satisfy their needs and fulfil their desires. Thus, it implies that
misuse of alcohol can be considered as the factor or element that influences the women towards
crime and they become offenders who found guilty from thefts ranging from minor to major
(Grella and Rodriguez, 2011). Misuse of alcohol is illegal in the laws of United Kingdom, and if
anyone found guilty will be punished by under the laws.
Berko, Erez and Globokar, (2010) said that women who have attitudinal issues creates
disturbance in the society and violates the laws and regulation. 25 per cent of women were found
to have attitudinal issues as they won't cooperate with anybody or have pro criminal issues.
Women who demonstrate insolent behaviour in the society founds to be more suspicious in
criminal activities. Thus, it can be said that behaviour and attitudes of women affects them and
lead them towards preparation of crime and criminal activities. Attitudinal issues affects the
10

women behaviour and society perception towards them. It was identified that women who
committed crime or found guilty in some sort of criminal activities have suffered with attitudinal
problems and issues.
According to Hassan and et.al., (2011) thinking and behaviour are two elements or
factors that influences the person greatly. If the person is born or lived in high society with good
surrounding tends to think novel. But if people lives or born in insolent society with bad and
sinister people living in surrounding, their behaviour towards others becomes insolent. In United
Kingdom, it was identified that 40 per cent of female offenders had a significant need in relation
to thinking and behaviour. Due to lack of interpersonal skills and societal influences, they found
in perpetrating crimes in localities of country.
Thus, from the above analysis of literature and researches made by senior authors and
researchers, it can be elucidated that there are plenty of factors that influences the women
towards committing any offence. Women's are emotionally sensitive and can be affected by
minor arguments (Hodgins, Legge and Khalid, 2011). It was identified that if women are facing
instability in relationships, their psychology can be affected which led them towards perpetrating
serious offence. Due to lack of skills and unemployment, women tends to commit crimes and
offences like thefts. Furthermore, it was identified that lifestyle and associates, emotional
wellbeing, drugs addictions, financial issues and accommodations were some factors which
influences the women offenders greatly.
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CHAPTER 3: VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE
Violence in the prison can be seen as the form of intimidation but in many cases, physical
violence is common and can be observed. Different groups in prison use to dominate and take
control in order to force and intimidate others (Rebecca Block, van der Werff and Nieuwbeerta,
2010). In first few months of the sentence, female offenders were dominated and intimidated by
the other prisoners. As time moves further, more severe crime like sexual abuse and physical
violence can be observed in prisons of United Kingdom. This implies that female offenders has
to endure the torture in the prison due to lack of protection and security. More than half of
women who were in prison of England and Wales were often becomes victims of violence (Tett
and et.al., 2012). The condition of women in prisoners were not good as they often found in
some of sort of violence. According to Bulman, (2017) 57 per cent of female inmates have been
victims of domestic violence, while 53 per cent have experienced emotional, physical or sexual
abuse as a child. In this context, the following chapter will demonstrate the condition of women
in prison that often makes them the victims of violence. The chapter will shed lights on ways
through which women becomes the victims of violence in prison of United Kingdom.
12

According to Wright, Van Voorhis, Salisbury and Bauman, (2012) female prisoners are
often becomes the victims of violence in the prison, yet only few studies have been made to
comprehend the factors, issues and impact on the offenders. Violent experiences negatively
impact on the psychology of both offenders and perpetrators. If they found that others are
intimidating, they increase their domination and torture them enormously. (Rebecca Block, van
der Werff and Nieuwbeerta, 2010). Violence can be seen in prison and women were found in
both perpetrating violence and becomes victims of violence. Due to inappropriate practices and
security at prison offences can be observed which influences the psychology of women. Ritter
and et.al., (2011) said that domestic violence can be seen in prison which makes women victims
of violence. Women offenders who disagree with thoughts of other prisoners often caught in
fight with him or her. This can leads to increase in domestic violence practices. In the research
conducted by researchers, it was identified that 57 per cent of female prisoners have been victims
of domestic violence in United Kingdom. The rate has been increasing since then. Due to lack of
security and preventions available in prisoners, women were often caught in the arguments
which leads to violence.
According to Baldry, (2010) domestic violence refers to a pattern in which numerous
tactics uses through domination on weak, with the motive to harming other. Women were often
targeted in the prison which influences the psychology and behaviour of other prisoners. This
increases the domestic violence in the prison. In a survey conducted by Birgden and Grant,
(2010) it was found that 27 per cent of women prisoners reported history of physical abuse. This
is considered as serious offence in the prison and women were mostly targeted in the physical
assault. Women offenders has been experienced high rates of victimisation and abuse within and
outside the prison. Another kind of violence women suffered from was sexual abuse.
Sexual assaults in prison is hot topic. Young women prisoners are often tends to be
considered as more vulnerable as they face more sexual assaults in the prison. While such
prisoners will have to contend with verbal sexual jabs and solicitations, forcible rape is actually
an unusual occurrence. Brown and Ross, (2010) said that many cases were identified in the
prison history which were not shown by any media where women prisoners were sexually
assaulted in the prison. This was the serious offence and women were targeted as the victim of
violence. If prisoners got engages in sexually promiscuous activities, they commonly become
target for unwanted sexual attention. Women who faced sexual abuse in the prison often suffered
13

from communicable and severe diseases that can impact on their health and life negatively. In
order to avoid sexual assault Fisher and Hatton, (2010) said that prisoners needs to engage well
with the prisoners and mind their own business.
Though after implementing various security measures in the prison, many cases has been
found where women prisoners has faced sexual abuse in the prison. Women were often found
victim of self-harm in the prison. According to Gelsthorpe (2010) due to mental health disorder
or psychological issue more than 50 per cent of women prisoners attempt to commit suicide in
the prison. Self-harm is another type of violence that affects the women in prisoners. According
to the report of Criminal Justice England in 2010, more than 26000 cases of self-harm were
reported in the prison out of which 6639 prisoners recorded injured themselves. From the total
population 47 per cent were women prisoners (Hassan and et.al., 2011). Women who suffered
from mental health issues and psychological disorders were the ones who attempt to kill
themselves in the prison. Females who have problems and issues in their life suffered from
emotional distress. In most of the cases women suffers from high levels of mental health issues
and social isolation which includes self-harm and low self-esteem as a result of history of
victimisation. Emotional distress negatively impacts on the psychology of women which
torments them and force them to commits criminal activities (Tett and et.al., 2012). This
implies, that mental health indeed impacts on the women psychology and force them to commits
offensive crimes. According to Sheehan, McIvor and Trotter, (2010) women who faces
instability in relationships or have some family and financial issues tends to perpetrate crime and
ends up in jail. Furthermore, due to psychological issues, they attempt to commit suicide in the
prison. The cases have been found in the articles and news reports where a woman attempt to
commit suicide because she was the victim of domestic violence in the prison.
So in words of Van Voorhis and et.al., (2010) women who have faced any sort of
violence in prison whether it domestic, sexual or physical assaults attempts to end up her life in
the prison. The number of cases has been increases since last decades where more than half of
the total number of female prisoners attempt to kill themselves in the prison. Women who were
addicted to drugs and substances were tends to attempt self-harm in the prison. These substances
influences the psychology of the women and sudden stoppage of intake of substances causes
metal pressure in them and thus, they forced to kill themselves ((Light, Grant and Hopkins, 2013,
p. 21). These substances are harmful in nature and influences the mental health and emotional
14

well-being of women. Women offenders furthermore, become victim of violence while try to do
self-harm.
According to Syal (2017) 40161 incidents of self harm has been reported in 2016 in the
prison of England and Wales. Majority of women were found in attempting self-harm in the
prisons. This was considered as the serious issue as officers at prison faced various issues in
making women prisoners calmed and relax. There are many cases found and reported where
women offenders become victims of violence in the prison.
In the research conducted at prison of England, it was found that the proportion of women who
were victim of violence were more than the women offenders who were perpetrator of violence.
Female prisoners were more likely to be found doing self-harm. Reports indicates that due to
mental stress and other issues related with society, women tends to involve in crimes. Most of
the women prisoners serves short sentences in United Kingdom. One in four women sent to the
prison in year 2017 and more than 1500 year were sentenced to one month or less with almost
300 of them were sent to the prison for rehabilitation under two weeks (Carlen, 2013). 63 per
cent of women in June 2016 have served in prison for less than or equal to six months. Though,
the per cent got increased by six to 69% in 2017. This implies that women were often found to be
the victim of violence. Whether it is domestic, sexual or physical women were majorly targeted
15

in the prison either by the other criminals or by officers on duty. Many serious offences come
into light whereas majority of the offences remained in the dark. Women are often vulnerable
and suffers mostly in the prison. There conditions kept getting worsen time to time and due to
lack of measures and security systems at prison, women prisoners has to suffer most. Women are
more victim of violence than the perpetrator of violence (Trotter, McIvor and Sheehan, 2012).
Female offenders in prison faced one or many sorts of violence in the prison which influences
their psychology and behaviour greatly. They got intimidated from the prison and attempts to kill
themselves in the prison. Due to lack of precise measures and security in the prison, women
offenders suffers from most viscous cycle of violence.
16

CHAPTER 4: REHABILITATION
According to Billington, (2011) the process of restoring someone health or normal life
through training and therapy after imprisonment, addiction or illness is referred as rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation refers to the practices where prison authorities make certain efforts in order to
treat the criminals and offenders in a manner that helps in reducing their psychological distress.
The methods are given in the prison where criminals were kept engaged in different – different
activities so that their mind can be diverted from producing destructive thoughts. The motive of
rehabilitation is to transform the behaviour of offenders in effective and efficient manner so that
they can no longer be danger to society and community. In this context, the present chapter will
aid understanding the concept of rehabilitation and the methods used by the prions in United
Kingdom in order to rehabilitate women offenders efficiently.
Davis, (2011, p. 11) enunciated that rehabilitation is considered as an important process
which helps in treatment of offenders and criminals in prison so that their behaviour can be
transformed and personality can be improved. The government of United Kingdom have
established numerous rehabilitation programmes that help the authorities to provide care and
other type of treatment to women offenders in order to improve their behaviour. Various
practices that helps in reducing the substance misuse, improving mental conditions, emotion
management, improving family contact so that they can resettle in social environment efficiently.
Nugent and Loucks, (2011) said that in 1974, the parliament of United Kingdom passed an
amendment in order to provide rehabilitation to the offenders in prison. Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974 mandates that some criminal convictions can be ignored after the period of
rehabilitation (Meek and Lewis, 2012). If the person serves the rehabilitation period in prison
and is found no danger to society any more, than officials can release him and remove the minor
criminal blot from the person records. Pardue, Arrigo and Murphy, (2011) argues that though
after serving the rehabilitation period, there were many cases identified where offenders again
found in one or many criminal activities. Rehabilitation is provided to the women offenders in
order to improve their behaviour and psychology. According to Phelps, 2011 The National
Offender Management Service’s (NOMS) are responsible for delivering efficient services and
interventions in the prison where are responsive to individual needs and characteristics. This is to
maximise the benefits of services delivered, and to ensure that they are delivered in ways that
offenders are most likely to respond to. Wahidin, (2011) said that in order to minimise the use of
17

drugs and other substance, women offenders are provided with various therapies and
interventions that slowly eliminates their addictions towards using those substances.
Rehabilitation programmes includes reducing the mental health issue of women offenders.
The programmes provide effective care to the women offenders in order to improve their
emotional well-being. The care providers keep them engaged in different – different activities so
that they forget about the pain and agony and able to stabilise their mental conditions. In the
present era where crime rates are increasing drastically not only in United Kingdom, but every
corner of the world. In order to deal with criminals, rehabilitation has been provided to them in
the prison so that they can no longer be danger to the society. Women offenders are less likely to
be found in criminal activities as compared to men (Goodman, 2012). Albeit, 10% of total
offenders were found to be women in United Kingdom. There were many issues due to which
women committed crime or found engage with criminals in criminal activities. Mental health
was considered as one of the factor that influence.
According to Currie, (2012) the crimes committed by females are different from the
crimes committed by males. In United Kingdom, women accounts for 5% of total prison
population. In November, 2017 the number of women in prison in England and Wales stood at
4035. In 2014 - 2015 1.3 % of females were found guilty in crime according to the report of The
Criminal Justice System of United Kingdom (Ireland and York, 2012).
Different rehabilitation programmes in United Kingdom
In order to transform the behaviour of women prisoners and provide them a better life
after rehabilitation period, the government along with many prison board of United Kingdom has
formulated different rehabilitation programme and schemes (Carlton and Segrave, 2013). The
motive of these schemes is to provide special care to the offenders according to their nature, type
and characteristic.
Police Based Triage
Numerous police forces have created triage schemes to address individuals at the first
point of entry to criminal justice system. According to Berko, Erez and Globokar, (2010) the
programme of rehabilitation proves to be effective when applied to young offenders. The
rehabilitation program is now been modified in order to implement for adult women offenders.
The motive of rehabilitation programme is to prevent unnecessarily criminalising vulnerable
18

people, to ensure that prosecution is concentrated on relatively serious offences and to increase
the use of restorative justice wherever appropriated (Police-based triage. 2014).
Gobeil, Blanchette and Stewart, (2016) argues that police triage scheme have been
previously implemented for young offenders that includes both male and female and it has
limited applicability which makes this programme less effective and useful. Furthermore, the
scheme was kept on pilot test in few of the prison in Wales, Manchester and England in order to
assess its effectiveness in rehabilitating the women prisoners. The outcome shows mixed results
as behaviour of some of the offenders got transformed while remaining were suspicious of re-
offending (Dye and Aday, 2013). Murdoch, Vess and Ward, (2012) said that police triage
scheme seek to address offending behaviour of those who were found guilty of committing low
level offending and were away from formal prosecution. It seeks to address where appropriate,
directing women into restorative justice or supportive interventions where they have evident
needs (for example drug and alcohol problems) and/or meet specified criteria (for instance, it is a
first offence, or shoplifting of goods below a certain value)
Building skills for recovery programme
As it was identified in previous chapter that due to lack of skills and competencies,
women were less likely able to acquire employment and thus move forward in the world of
crime. Building skills for recovery programme has been established by the government of UK,
where women offenders were taught precise skills and abilities (Hodgins, Legge and Khalid,
2011). These abilities help them to secure appropriate job and they can further able to sustain in
their life efficiently. The programme further aims to reduce the offending behaviour and
problematic substance misuse.
Alcohol Related Violence Programme (ARV)
Alcohol related violence rehabilitation programmes is designed for both male and female
offenders. Different therapies has been used by the carers at prison in order to reduce the alcohol
related violence behaviour in the offender. According to Visher and Bakken, (2014) the
programme has been launched by government of United Kingdom which aim to minimise
violence related with alcohol misuse. In the custody, women offenders has been provided with
different therapies that impacts on their cognitive thinking behaviour and minimise their
addiction towards alcohol (MacDonald, 2013). The programme has been conducted in prisons in
order to reduce the re-offending related with alcohol.
19

Choices, Actions, Relationships and Emotions (CARE)
The rehabilitation programme is been designed specifically for women prisoners who
gets difficulty in managing their emotions and relationships (Norman, 2015). The aim of
rehabilitation programme is to assist female offenders to identify and label emotions so that they
can manage their emotions effectively and efficiently (Sheehan, McIvor and Trotter, 2013, p.
159). The CARE programme further aid in fostering a positive life, women offender want to live
after release.
The Women's Programme
Women offenders who have committed crimes like thefts and robbery in order to get
money or acquisitive offences (Offender Behaviour Programmes (OBPs). 2018). The
rehabilitation programme is cognitive and motivational programme helps in demonstrating
women offenders about the nature of punishment they can get after committing the offences
(Stevens 2013). Furthermore, it helps in providing alternative methods to women through which
they can earn and live the life they want to live after the release.
There are many other rehabilitation programmes which conducted in the prison in United
Kingdom in order to reduce the offensive behaviour of women offenders. Each and every
programme aim to deliver what it is designed for and re-offending rates are diminishing after the
implementation of the programme. Furthermore, it was identified that CARE rehabilitation
programme tends to be more effective as women offenders were mainly suffered from emotional
distress. This program aim to stabilise emotional and mental suffering of women offenders and
helps them to regain their mental health so that they can live peacefully and happily after release.
Postivistic approach to rehabilitation
Positivistic criminology proposed that criminals are no longer seen solely as the
perpetrator of crime, but he has been seen as potential and virtual source of future crime. In
positivistic criminology, criminal tends to commit crime because of his or her nature, behaviour
and psychology and even after sentencing, the criminal attempts to re-offending. According to
Saxena, Messina and Grella, (2014) there are two aspects that influences the criminals to
perpetrate offences. These are internal aspects which includes the soul, behaviour and mental and
external aspect which involves only sensory cognition. In order to transform the internal and
external aspects of the criminals, the rehabilitation programme called disciplinary model or
behaviouristic model can be applied (Cunha, 2014). Different kind of disciplinary tools and
20

methods can be applied by the authorities in order to reduce the offensive behaviour of criminal
so that his or her internal aspect can be transformed effectively and efficiently. van der Knaap,
Meek and Lewis, (2014) said that the next rehabilitation model is based on the treatment of a
pathological, criminogenous disposition. The absorbing thing about the therapeutic model of
rehabilitation is that it is quite adequately comprehend as embodiment of rehabilitation. This
inflection also say the certain criminal behaviour theory related with etiological In this case, it
supports the thesis about inadequate or insufficient primary or secondary socialization: the
proposed pedagogical model of rehabilitation should eliminate exactly this insufficiency through
the form of, for instance, (re)education or (re)socialization (Flynn, 2014).
Thus, the approach states that criminal often perpetrate crime because he or she has been
used to it (Harding, 2014). In order to reduce the offensive behaviour of the criminal, the
rehabilitation programme must focus on providing effective care and treatment of the criminal so
that their behaviour can be transformed and their addiction towards crimes can be minimise.
21

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION
The process of assisting an individual or group with the help of different training or
therapy methods who has or have suffered an illness or injury, restore lost skills and redevelop
their self-sufficiency is known as rehabilitation. In contrast, with this statement researcher study
the condition of women offenders in the prisons of Untied Kingdom. Crime rates are increasing
rapidly where both men and women were found guilty of one or many criminal activities. It was
found during the research that out of total population of offenders, 10 per cent were women. In
the research, many factors that affects women and force them to become a perpetrator. These
factors includes mental health, unemployment, lack of skills, and lack of education, instability in
relationship, emotions and family instability. These factors affects enormously and forces
women to commit crime. In the above study, researcher has also identified how women often
became victim of crime. In researches conducted by senior authors, journalists and government
authorities and researchers. It was identified that domestic violence and sexual abuse has been
mostly perpetrated in the organisation and majority of women in prison became target of it.
Women were less likely to be found engage in criminal activities like domestic violence,
thefts and taking illegal drugs. Female further found serving shorter sentences in the prison and
almost 9% of women prisoners were admitted to the custody. The rate of women offenders are
decreasing but the rate of offences remains stable in the country. It’s true that majority of women
offenders serves less than a year in the prison, but it does not deter them from committing crime
again. Many of them were caught again by police in minor or major crimes. Women offenders
have a broad range of needs. They have experienced high rate of mental health disorders, abuse,
victimisation and drug addiction and misuse. Furthermore, they have low skills and rates of
unemployment. Emotional well-being is one of the major reason due to which majority of female
found in crimes and criminal activities.
In this context, in the dissertation, the background of women offenders has been
discussed and with the help of statistics and literature, factors that influences women towards
crime has been learned. From the analysis, it was identified that lack of employment, relationship
and emotional well-being, women were likely to commit crime. Employment and low level of
skills and competencies women tends to engage in criminal activities. It was found that 58 per
cent of women offenders identified unemployed and unskilled which as an issue contribute to
their offending. Unemployment is the major reason in United Kingdom which influences most of
22

the people to perpetrate crime. Furthermore, it was found that women surpass the male
percentage in doing crime just because they are unemployed and facing financial issues. Women
who have low level of skills and competencies do not able to find an efficient job according to
their type which can secure their future. Thus, they tend to commit minor and major thefts in
order to fulfil their desires and motives.
The dissertation shed light on how women becomes victims of violence in prison.
Violence can be seen in prison and women were found in both perpetrating violence and
becomes victims of violence. Due to inappropriate practices and security at prison offences can
be observed which influences the psychology of women. Women were often targeted in the
prison which influences the psychology and behaviour of other prisoners. This increases the
domestic violence in the prison. This is considered as serious offence in the prison and women
were mostly targeted in the physical assault. Sexual assault and self-harm in the prison also
affects the women prisoners and made them victim of violence.
The process and programme of rehabilitation has been discussed in the dissertation. The
methods are given in the prison where criminals were kept engaged in different – different
activities so that their mind can be diverted from producing destructive thoughts. The motive of
rehabilitation is to transform the behaviour of offenders in effective and efficient manner so that
they can no longer be danger to society and community. It was identified that methods such as
Policy Triage Scheme, building skills for recovery, the women programme, CARE programme
has been discussed. It was further identified that CARE programme tend to be more effective as
it helps in recovering the women offenders emotional thoughts and feelings.
23

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