INCREASE IN WOMEN PRISONERS

Early day motion 321, tabled 11 February 1999 by Paul Flynn (Labour). Signed by 19 members.

That this House is gravely concerned that the projected rate of increase of women prisoners is 15 per cent., compared with 5 per cent. for men; is alarmed that in some prisons the majority of women prisoners are on remand with only a small minority re-entering to serve a sentence; notes with concern that women prisoners have little or no opportunity to arrange for accommodation and care arrangements for the child/dependant before imprisonment; deplores the fact that 50 per cent. of women prisoners are in prison for drugs offences; is concerned that 76 per cent. of women in remand and 53 per cent. of sentenced women suffer a form of mental disorder; is surprised that the Government is unable to offer information on the prescription of neuroleptic drugs to women prisoners; and calls for fewer custodial sentences for women prisoners and greater openness of prison procedures.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Liberal Democrat 6.