Written question asked by David Howarth (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 25 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 March 2010. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Custodial Treatment: Females

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to ring fence savings from a reduction in custodial capacity for women to support women's community provision; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: In December 2009 the Government committed to reduce the women's prison estate by 400 places by March 2012 and to divert resources from custody to the community to help sustain the multi-agency Women's Community Projects (WCPs) and other community provision established through grant funding. Subject to a sustained reduction in the women's prison population and evidence of the impact of the WCPs the National Offender Management Service has agreed to release funding that will be used by the directors of Offender Management to help sustain existing provision and to continue to develop a network of community provision which meets the needs of women offenders and women at risk of offending.

Secondary information