Publications digest
About our publications digest
The publications digest contains news about publications specifically concerning women, crime and criminal justice, allowing you to keep up-to-date with policy, practice and research developments relating to female offenders, victims and practitioners. Books, reports, journal and newspaper articles, goverment papers and more are listed along with summaries of the content and links to source sites for further information.
This is a new service and currently we only list selected recent publications, but we are in the process of building an historical database of publications on women, crime and criminal justice. This will be searchable by date and by subject matter. If you have suggestions of publications which you think should be listed, please email us with the details. Thank you.
If you would like information on a broader range of criminal justice subjects, the
UK Criminal Justice Weblog contains news about criminal justice issues from around the UK, drawn from media websites, government sources and criminal justice organisations.
Email notification of new publications
If you would like to receive email alerts notifying you of new publications on female offenders, please email us and include the phrase 'publication alert' in the body or subject heading of your email.
Latest publications on women and crime
November 29, 2005
HMP Bronzefield - Lessons Learned, Progress Made
Home Office Press Release
HMP Bronzefield, England's first private prison for women, had learnt from some early mistakes, and was making good progress, said Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the prison's first inspection report today.
November 22, 2005
HMP Cookham Wood - Considerable Progress
Home Office Press Release
HMP Cookham Wood has made considerable progress, said Anne Owers, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an unannounced short follow-up inspection of the women's training prison.
Report on a unannounced short follow-up inspection of HMP Cookham Wood 20–24 May 2005 by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
Cookham Wood is a closed women’s training prison. On our last visit we praised staff–prisoner relationships, while calling for much more robust systems and procedures to ensure better outcomes for prisoners. This unannounced, follow-up inspection found that considerable progress had been made against our recommendations and the removal of young adults had allowed the establishment to focus better on its discrete adult population.
November 16,2005
Drug Interventions Programme: Reaching Out to Diverse Communities
Home Office Press Release
The Government today set out how its Drug Intervention Programme (DIP) will ensure that women and those from minority ethnic groups receive the treatment they need. Traditionally these groups have been under-represented in drug treatment programmes.
November 15, 2005
Inspection of Probation Work: Combined Results from 29 Probation Areas
Home Office Press Release
Combined results for the 29 probation areas inspected during 2003-04 and 2004-05 under the Probation Inspectorate's Effective Supervision Inspection (ESI) programme are published today....The results include analyses by ethnicity and other diversity characteristics of offenders [including gender], which it is not usually possible to consider in reports on individual probation areas in view of the small number of cases often involved in the samples scrutinised....results for women offenders were relatively better than for men, particularly on the carrying out of appropriate interventions, and the direction of work and resources to reintegration.
Effective Supervision Inspection
HM Inspectorate of Probation
Report on the combined results of the 29 probation areas inspected 2003-04 and 2004-05. Includes analyses by diversity characteristics including gender.
November 12, 2005
Commission on women and the criminal justice system - interim report on women accused or convicted of offences
Fawcett Society
September 23, 2005
The Pain Inside - For women in prison who self-injure.
Available from Bristol Crisis Service for Women
This book is a self-help tool for women in prison (or any other secure setting) who self-injure to keep in their cell. It is to be used as an alternative to self-injury. There are different sections within the book; information about self-injury, alternatives to self-injury, puzzles, art and a letter and diary writing section. It also has information about relaxation techniques and where to get support in prison. ISBN 0 9548939 5 6.
Price £6
Autumn, 2005
Women into work
Appears in Nacro's publication: Safer Society, Issue 26
Joanne Tate of Women into Work says that peer research offers unique insights into the experiences and concerns of women prisoners
Summer, 2005
Breaking the cycle
Appears in Nacro's publication: Safer Society, Issue 25
Jackie Lowthian, Nacro's National Resettlement Manager, says the Government should learn from the voluntary sector's needs-led approach to women offenders.
June 8, 2005
Report on an announced follow-up inspection of HMP Durham (Women's Unit)
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
May 17,2005
HMP Brockhill Report - Needs of women in West Midlands not met
HMI Prison Press Release
HMP Brockhill, a women's local prison, has serious deficiencies, but the solution is not simply to change its role to a men's prison without providing any suitable alternative for women in the West Midland s, said the Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers in the report of an announced inspection published today.
April 27, 2005
Response to consultation on the role of the voluntary sector in the National Offender Management Service
Fawcett Society
March 31, 2005
One Year On
A review of progress since the Fawcett Commission's first report on women and the criminal justice system.
Fawcett Society
March 23, 2005
Debate on women in the criminal courts
Westminster debate led by Vera Baird QC MP, chair of Commission on Women and the Criminal Justice System
Fawcett Society
February 24, 2005
A gap or a chasm? Attrition in reported rape cases
Home Office Research Study 293
Liz Kelly, Jo Lovett and Linda Regan
Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit, London Metropolitan University
Tackling Domestic Violence: effective interventions and approaches
Home Office Research Study 290
Marianne Hester and Nicole Westmarland
Tackling Domestic Violence: providing advocacy and support to survivors from Black and other minority ethnic communities
Home Office Development and Practice Report 35
Alpa Parmar and Alice Sampson, University of East London and Alana Diamond, Home Office
Tackling Domestic Violence: providing advocacy and support to survivors of domestic violence
Home Office Development and Practice Report 34
Alpa Parmar and Alice Sampson, University of East London and Alana Diamond, Home Office
February 3, 2005
HMP Drake Hall - Making Good Progress
HMI Prison Press Release
HMP Drake Hall was making good progress but was not yet addressing the needs of foreign nationals, a third of the population, said Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons today, publishing the report of a follow-up unannounced inspection of the prison.
February 1, 2005
Good practice in meeting the needs of BME women offenders and women at risk of offending
Fawcett Society
January, 2005
Researching Gender Violence, Feminist methodology in action
Edited by Tina Skinner (University of Bath), Marianne Hester (University of Bristol), Ellen Malos (University of Bristol)
Available from Willan Publishing
In this edited collection leading authors in the field draw on their experience to address key methodological questions and challenges that have arisen from the recent proliferation of research projects and government funded initiatives on violence against women.
January 21, 2005
Response to consultation on Increasing Diversity in the Judiciary
Fawcett Society
2004
Advice, understanding and underwear: working with girls in prison.
Available from the Howard League for Penal Reform
This new report from the Howard League for Penal Reform is essential reading for anyone working with girls and young women in the criminal justice or social care systems. It looks at current provision for girls and provides a useful insight into the impact of imprisonment on the lives of young women. 24pp, £10.00, ISBN 090368381 4
Lacking Conviction: The rise of the women's remand population
by Kimmett Edgar.
Available from the Prison Reform Trust
In 10 years the number of women in prison has risen sharply from an average daily population of 1,811 to over 4,500 today. Remand numbers have grown at the fastest rate. 'Lacking Conviction' reveals a widespread misuse of custody and examines its impact on some of the most vulnerable women in society. The report sets out a sensible agenda for changes in policy and practice within and outside the criminal justice system. ISBN: 0 946209 69 3
December 2004
Sex Work - A risky business
Teela Sanders (University of Leeds)
Available from Willan Publishing
This is a richly detailed account of the way the sex industry works, and one of the few empirical studies that investigates the off street industry in Britain. The book seeks to advance a greater knowledge of the social organisation of the sex industry by uncovering the day-to-day activities of women involved in the indoor markets. What types of occupational risks do women experience in work of this kind? How do these hazards affect their personal lives?
December 14, 2004
When Victims Become Offenders: In search of coherence in policy and practice
Report by Dr Judith Rumgay for Fawcett Society's Gender and Justice Network
October 28, 2004
House of Lords debate on women in prison, citing Fawcett research
Fawcett Society
October 22, 2004
Report on an announced inspection of HMP/YOI Brockhill 18–22 October 2004
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
October 20, 2004
Tackling Domestic Violence: the role of health professionals
Home Office Development and Practice Report 32
Ann Taket, Professor of Primary Health Care, Faculty of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University
October 4, 2004
Report on an full unannounced inspection of HM Prison/ Young Offenders Institution Holloway
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
Report on an full unannounced inspection of HM Prison/ Young Offenders Institution Holloway - Appendices
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
Autumn, 2004
Tribulations of female offenders
Appears in Nacro's publication: Safer Society, Issue 22
Dr Loraine Gelsthorpe, Senior Lecturer in criminology at the University of Cambridge, describes the problems faced by women released from prison.
July 16, 2004
Tackling Street Prostitution: Towards an holistic approach
Home Office Research Study 279
Marianne Hester and Nicole Westmarland, University of Bristol
July 15, 2004
Sexual Assault Referral Centres: developing good practice and maximising potentials
Home Office Research Study 285
Jo Lovett, Linda Regan and Liz Kelly
Forensic nursing: an option for improving responses to reported rape and sexual assault
Home Office Development and Practice Report 31
Linda Regan, Jo Lovett and Liz Kelly from the Child & Woman Abuse Study Unit at the London Metropolitan University
July 2, 2004
Statistics on Women and the Criminal Justice System, 2003
A Home Office publication under Section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991
June 14, 2004
Domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey
Home Office Research Study 276
Sylvia Walby and Jonathan Allen
Summer, 2004
Inside women’s prisons
Appears in Nacro's publication: Safer Society, Issue 21
Ruth Wyner, author of From The Inside, argues for a more therapeutic and less damaging approach to female prisoners.
May, 2004
Analysing Women's Imprisonment
Pat Carlen (Keele University) and Anne Worrall (Keele University)
Available from Willan Publishing
In both the UK and the rest of the world there have been rapid increases in the numbers of women in prison, which has led to an acceleration of interest in women's crimes and the social control of women, and women's experience of both prison and the criminal justice system is very different to men's. This text is concerned to address the key issues relating to women's imprisonment, contributing at the same time to an understanding of prison issues in general and the historical and contemporary politics of gender and penal justice.
May, 2004
Forgotten Prisoners –The Plight of Foreign National Prisoners in England and Wales
Prison Reform Trust Briefing - includes information on the significant number of foreign national women held in prisons in England and Wales.
April, 2004
Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice (2e)
Sandra Walklate (Manchester Metropolitan University)
Available from Willan Publishing
This book provides a lucid and highly acclaimed introduction to gender issues in crime and criminal justice, central to any understanding of crime and criminal justice policy and practice. This second edition has been updated to take full account of recent developments, particularly in the areas of policing, crime prevention, restorative justice and legislation relating to sexual offences and the nature and impact of crime on women -in particular the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
April 28, 2004
Safety and justice: sharing personal information in the context of domestic violence – an overview
Home Office Development and Practice Report 30
Nicola Douglas, Sarah-Jane Lilley, Liz Kooper and Alana Diamond
April 1, 2004
Girls in Prison: The education and training of under-18s serving Detention and Training Orders
A thematic report by the Office of Standards in Education in consultation with HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
March, 2004
Women's Offending Reduction Programme
NOMS Action Plan
Women's Offending Reduction Programme Annual Review 2004 – 2005
NOMS Report
March 31, 2004
Press release of Cherie Booth's conference speech warning of 'crisis of confidence' in criminal justice system
Fawcett Society
Press release on report of the Commission on Women and the Criminal Justice System
Fawcett Society
Report of the Commission on Women and the Criminal Justice System
Fawcett Society
March 28, 2004
Press release on public attitudes to sending women to prison
Fawcett Society
March 23, 2004
Vulnerability and involvement in drug use and sex work
Home Office Research Study 268
Linda Cusick and Anthea Martin, Imperial College. Tiggey May, South Bank University
March 12, 2004
Commission on women and the criminal justice system - interim report on women working in the criminal justice system
Fawcett Society
March 11, 2004
Focus on female offenders: the Real Women Programme – Probation Service pilot
Home Office Development and Practice Report 18
March 3, 2004
Cherie Booth's speech at Fawcett conference on women and the criminal justice system
Fawcett Society
March 1, 2004
Report of the Commission on Women and the Criminal Justice System March 2004.
Fawcett Society
February 26, 2004
Gender differences in offending: implications for risk-focused prevention
Home Office Online Report 09/04
David P. Farrington Kate A. Painter
2003
Statistics on Women and the Criminal Justice System, 2002
A Home Office publication under Section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991
Troubled Inside: Responding to the Mental Health Needs of Women in Prison
by Dora Rickford, available from the Prison Reform Trust
This report reveals the extent of the mental health needs of women in prison. It exposes the gap between improved policy and still bleak practice. It offers a set of detailed recommendations and a ten point action plan which, if implemented, would ensure that the needs of mentally ill women inside the prison system are met. ISBN: 0 946209 64 2
December 12, 2003
Bullwood Hall YOI - Report of an announced inspection
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
October 10, 2003
Report on a full announced inspection of HM Prison Prison Cookham Wood
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
July 30, 2003
The substance misuse treatment needs of minority prisoner groups: women, young offenders and ethnic minorities
Home Office Development and Practice Report 8
Differential substance misuse treatment needs of women, ethnic minorities and young offenders in prison: prevalence of substance misuse and treatment needs
Home Office Online Report 33/03
Jo Borrill, Anthony Maden, Anthea Martin, Tim Weaver, Gerry Stimson, Michael Farrell and Tom Barnes
July 17, 2003
Commission on women and the criminal justice system - interim report on victims and witnesses
Fawcett Society
2002
Statistics on Women and the Criminal Justice System, 2001
A Home Office publication under Section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 Women and Punishment
The struggle for justice
Edited by Pat Carlen (Keele University, Foreword by Sir David Ramsbotham
Available from Willan Publishing
In the last decade there has been growing international concern about the increasing numbers of women in prison, the effects that imprisonment has on their children, the realisation that gaoled women have different criminal profiles and rehabilitative needs to male prisoners, and the seeming intractability of the associated problems. In response there has been an overarching policy concern in many countries to fashion and co-ordinate gender-specific policies towards female offenders which aim both to slow down the rate of their offending and/or imprisonment, and also to engender flexible programmes which will reduce the time spent in custody and/or away from their young children.
September 2002
Rethinking What Works with Offenders. Probation, social context and desistance from crime
Stephen Farrall (Keele University), available from Willan Publishing
This important and original new book reports on a major investigation of the outcomes of probation supervision, is concerned with the key question of what works in probation, and comes at an important moment of change and development for the probation service in the UK. Unlike previous studies which have relied mostly on official data, this book makes use of over 200 interviews with men and women on probation, and their supervising Probation Officers.
Women who challenge: women offenders and mental health issues
Available from: Nacro publications
Mental health problems can contribute to women's offending and may be exacerbated rather than addressed in prison. This can be extremely damaging, both to the women themselves and to their families and children. The aim of Women who challenge is to provide a comprehensive overview of the problems faced by female prisoners with mental health problems. This report argues that there are a number of key issues which need to be addressed, including the impact of imprisonment on women and their families; mental health care of women prisoners; substance misuse; provision for women in secure mental health services; and difference in the way men and women are treated by the criminal justice system. Women who challenge examines the emerging and existing strategies to tackle the challenges presented by women offenders with mental health problems and makes recommendations about what more should be done to address their needs. 2002 52pp ISBN 0 85069 190 7 £12.50
January, 2002
Gender and Policing. Sex, power and police culture
Louise Westmarland (Scarman Centre, University of Leicester)
Available from Willan Publishing
Gender and Policing is an innovative study of the real world of street policing and the gender issues whichare a central part of this. Derived from extensive ethnographic research (involving police responses to gangland shootings, high speed car chases as well as more routine policing activities), this book examines the way police attitudes and beliefs combin eto perpetuate a working culture which is dependent upon traditional conceptions of 'male' and 'female'. In doing so it challenges previously held assumptions about the way women are harassed, manipulated and constrained, focusing rather on the more subtl eimpact of structures and norms within police culture.
2001
Statistics on Women and the Criminal Justice System, 2000
A Home Office publication under Section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991
Women beyond bars: a positive agenda for women prisoners' resettlement
Available from: Nacro Publications
Between 1993 and February 2001, the population of women prisoners increased by an alarming 145%. This is of grave concern, especially given the damage a prison sentence can do: ties with children and family could be severed, while homes, possessions and jobs are often lost. This report looks at what is needed to help women leaving prison to rebuild their lives after release. Following an in-depth analysis of the difficulties that women in prison can encounter both before and after their release, Nacro argues that the best way to promote the resettlement of women is not to use prison. The report calls for the development of effective community punishments which take account of the nature of women's offending, respond to it in a proportionate manner, and work on strategies to reduce it. 2001 24pp £5.00
2000
Statistics on Women and the Criminal Justice System, 1999
A Home Office publication under Section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991
Counting the Cost: the Social and Financial Consequences of Women's Imprisonment
Available from the Prison Reform Trust
Prepared for the Committee on Women's Imprisonment by economist Toby Wolfe, this report looks at the social and financial consequences of imprisoning an ever-increasing number of women.
December 1, 2000
Unjust Deserts: A Thematic Review of the Treatment and Conditions for Unsentenced Prisoners in England and Wales
Report by HMI Prisons. The fieldwork for this study included HMPs Holloway, New Hall and Brookhill.