Increase In Women Prisoners

EDM number 321 in 1998-99, proposed by Paul Flynn on 11/02/1999.

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.

This motion has been signed by a total of 19 MPs.