Too many women are being remanded into custody

The use of remand (holding a person in custody before trial or sentencing) is at its highest level in over 50 years. Today, one in four women in prison are being held on remand. Women on remand are less likely than men to be granted bail, and racially minoritised and migrant women are significantly overrepresented in the remand population.

Court delays mean women can wait months in detention, sometimes longer, without knowing their future. Even a short period in custody can lead to a woman losing her job, housing and care of her children.

A briefing by the Howard League for Penal Reform noted that for women remanded by magistrates:

almost two-thirds … go on to be found not guilty or do not receive an immediate custodial sentence.

A new key findings paper by the chief inspector of prisons reinforces the scale of the problem. People on remand now make up 19% of the total adult prison population. Suicide is more common among this group and the report also found that 67% of people on remand report mental health difficulties.

Together with six other women-led organisations working for justice, Women in Prison has formed The Remand Collective. The other organisations are:

This is a bold new partnership committed to ending the unjust, unsafe and unfair use of remand for women. Together, we are calling for fewer women to be imprisoned whilst awaiting trial or sentencing, and for alternatives that are based in care, safety and trust.

One woman involved in the Remand Collective highlights its importance:

I’ve never been asked what I need to feel safe – only told what’s expected of me. This space was different.

Change is possible and it starts by listening to women and investing in alternatives that keep women safe while upholding justice and dignity.

Featured image via the Canary