To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women received custodial sentences of less than (a) three and (b) six months in each of the last three years.
Answered on
19 March 2018
The number of female offenders who received custodial sentences of less than (a) three and (b) six months from 2014 to 2016, can be viewed in the table
The number of female offenders given custody by length in England and Wales, 2014-2016 (1)(2) | |||
Immediate custody | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
Less than six months | 5,081 | 4,927 | 4,957 |
of which | |||
Less than 3 months | 3,907 | 3,817 | 3,952 |
(1) The sentence shown is the most severe sentence given for the principal offence (i.e. the principal sentence), secondary sentences given for the principal offence and sentences for non-principal offences are not counted in the tables.
(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.
We are committed to doing all we can to address the issues around female offending so we can better protect the public and deliver more effective rehabilitation. That is why we plan to set out a strategy for female offenders, to improve outcomes and services for women in both the community and custody.