Lib Dems welcome inquiry into female offenders

4.54.42pm GMT Fri 19th Dec 2008

Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP has welcomed the announcement that a Scottish Parliament committee will carry out an enquiry to see to what extent prison stops women re-offending.

The Equal Opportunities Committee will carry out the investigation.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

“Given the sharp rise in the number of women sent to prison, this enquiry is welcome.

”Liberal Democrats are campaigning for an overhaul of sentencing policy. At present, too many very short term sentences are handed down, which don’t work and are expensive. They clog up prisons and prevent effective rehabilitation.

“It will be interesting to see if the committee investigation finds that prison stops women re-offending, or if tougher community sentences combined with action to tackle the root cause of crime is a better option.”