Reports Briefing
| DOI | 10.1177/026455059604300217 |
| Published date | 01 June 1996 |
| Date | 01 June 1996 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
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In Prisoners’ Children: Research, Policy
and Practice, Eva Lloyd highlights the
issues surrounding the children of
-
prisoners, summarising primarily the
English language studies which
illuminate their needs and making a case
The number of women in prison has risen
for their rights to be recognised and
by 57% since the end of 1992, from
reflected in both penal and social policy.
1,353 to 2,125 (as of 1 December 1995),
Though the UN Convention on the
a rate of increase twice that of male
Rights of the Child stipulates that
prisoners. Most women sentenced to
children should be protected from
imprisonment are non-violent offenders.
discrimination or punishment on the
0
Of 4,406 women received into prison
basis of their parents’ status or activities
in 1994, 1,454(33%) were imprisoned for
and requires member states to respect the
fine default.
child’s personal relations and direct
contact with their
0
Of the remaining 2,952, 514 (17%)
parent during
had been convicted of violence/robbery/
separation, the UK makes little explicit
sexual crime and 287 (10%) had been
acknowledgement of the practical
convicted of drugs offences. Only 137
implementation of this principle. In Italy,
had been convicted of
in
burglary.
contrast, home arrest is substituted for
imprisonment in the case of pregnant
0
Of 3,714 women remanded in
women or those caring for children under
custody in 1994, just 29% received
three (unless they have been involved in
custodial sentences, the remainder being
organised crime). In France, prisoner-
given non-custodial sentences or
parents’ right to contact their children is
acquitted.
laid down in the Code Civil and Code
0
60% of sentenced women had two or
Penal.
fewer previous convictions, including
20% with
In addition to suggesting a clearer focus
no previous convictions. The
equivalent
on the
percentages for
potential impact of
men were
custody at the
33% and 16%.
...
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