Lammy Champions Expansion of Women's Courts to Reduce Reoffending
Justice Secretary David Lammy is set to endorse a significant expansion of dedicated women's courts across England and Wales, as part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at cutting reoffending rates and supporting vulnerable female offenders. The initiative, expected to be unveiled next month, will prioritise intensive supervision courts (ISCs) that focus on addressing the underlying causes of criminal behaviour rather than relying solely on custodial sentences.
Strategic Focus on Problem-Solving Approaches
Insiders reveal that Lammy, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, plans to allocate ring-fenced funding to pilot additional ISCs in new locations. Currently, a women's ISC operates in Birmingham, alongside three substance misuse sites at Bristol, Liverpool, and Teesside Crown Courts. A second women-focused ISC in Liverpool was announced by Lammy in September, signalling the government's commitment to this model.
These courts are praised as "problem-solving courts" by experts, as they examine factors such as drug abuse, domestic violence, and mental health issues that often contribute to offending. Instead of imprisonment, ISCs can order alternatives like drug treatment programmes, which are particularly crucial for women with bespoke needs. Research indicates that over half of women in jail have been victims of domestic violence, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.
Women's Justice Board and Broader Goals
The Women's Justice Board (WJB), launched last year by former Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, plays a key role in this strategy. Composed of justice sector experts, the WJB aims to reduce the number of women entering prison, with an ultimate goal of having fewer women's prisons. Although its strategy was delayed due to a ministerial reshuffle, it is now expected to align with Lammy's plans.
However, the strategy is not anticipated to set specific targets for cutting the female prison population, which currently stands at 3,481 in England and Wales. Some campaigners argue for keeping prisons open but with improved, targeted care and fewer inmates, to maintain family connections and local support networks.
Insights from Board Members and Future Directions
A WJB member disclosed that the government is actively seeking additional sites for ISCs, emphasising their effectiveness in producing positive outcomes. "These courts are really good. They seem to be producing very good results indeed," one member noted, while stressing that prevention programmes to avoid court involvement altogether would be ideal.
Ministry of Justice insiders caution that no final decisions have been made regarding funding, cohort sizes, or the exact number of new ISCs. Nonetheless, Lammy has publicly affirmed the value of intensive supervision courts and expressed a commitment to their expansion, as part of a broader effort to transform women's justice and reduce reoffending through holistic support.
