Today’s Guardian contains a piece in the Response column from a two people who helped set up day centres for offenders as an alternative to prison sentences. Talking about how the programme works in the US, they say:

They are not a “soft option”. Attendance is mandatory and backed up with sanctions; there is routine drug testing; and some of those attending are electronically monitored and subject to curfews. They have reduced demand on prisons by more than seven million cell-nights per annum, saving US taxpayers a third of a billion dollars a year. People stay in the community, get help with their problems, gain qualifications, prepare for jobs, and interact with families and friends who can help them go straight.

The authors of the piece make a clear case for how reducing custody helps offenders, cuts re-offending and saves the taxpayer money. Whilst they don’t specifically mention women offenders, increasing community sentences would have huge benefits for the women’s criminal justice system, helping women keep ties with their children and families and maintain their homes. Given that every pound spent on community provision saves £14 to the public purse through the reduced costs vs sending a woman to prison and the consequent social services and health costs, one understands why Baroness Corston recommended the model. Getting a sustainable network of one-stop-shop women’s centres all over the country is a crucial part of transforming the criminal justice system for the better.