Group to observe how criminal justice system treats women

The number of women in Scottish jails has doubled in the past decade.

A new group, Justice for Women, is to follow proceedings in five Scottish courts where its volunteers will look at the kinds of sentences received, alternatives to custody and the effect of sentencing on family life and child welfare.

From March 21, members will attend Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Stirling sheriff courts and courts in either Aberdeen or Dundee.

In the wake of this week’s report by Scotland’s chief inspector of prisons, David Strang, which slammed the conditions at Glasgow Sheriff Court and the toilet facilities at Cornton Vale, the volunteers will look at conditions for women in the criminal justice system.

Maggie Mellon said the group was urging the courts and the Scottish government to “turn off the tap” on women being sent to prison – particularly for crimes of poverty.

Ms Mellon said: “We are looking to inform ourselves and the public, but we already know prison can end up with children being placed in care and lives disrupted.

“We will be watching out for short sentences being imposed for offences like fine default, and gathering information and stories about the injustice and crazy economics of imprisonment.”