Justice system shake-up plan to put fewer women in jail

FEWER female criminals will be jailed under new plans to "break the cycle of criminality".

- Michael Knowles

Officials believe the majority of offences committed by women are as a result of issues such as alcohol or drug abuse or because they themselves are victims.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has estimated 60 per cent of women in prison have experienced domestic abuse, while 50 per cent have drug addictions.

Prisons and Probation Minister Damian Hinds said: "For many women, domestic abuse, poor mental health, addiction and trauma can be a key driver of their offending.