The Corston Review

An opportunity for real change for vulnerable women in contact with the criminal justice system

The organisations and individuals named on this page consider that the publication of Corston Review represents a unique opportunity to effect real change in the way vulnerable women offenders and women at risk of offending are dealt with by society.

We strongly believe:

For most women who offend, prison does not work; it is inappropriate, unnecessary, and damaging.
Women offenders and those at risk of offending need local community-based provision based on women's centre models such as the Asha Centre and the Calderdale Women's Centre, which are close to families and networked into local services.
To reduce crime and improve women's lives it is crucial to address women's complex needs, including poverty and debt, mental health problems, abuse and domestic violence, addictions, and housing.
A national cross-departmental properly resourced body must be set up with power to develop and enforce policy on women offenders and those at risk of offending and to commission services.

These measures will reduce crime and benefit women, their families, and the wider society.

The Review report must not be left on the shelf. It must be a catalyst for action on the points above.

To support the campaign sign our petition.

Sign petition

There are 613 entries in the petition.
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Name

Entry

Erin Richardson
-

Signed on: Tue 18 Dec 2007 12:24:09 GMT

Alan Sinclair

Signed on: Tue 18 Dec 2007 12:24:19 GMT

The unnecessary inprisonment of vulnerable women who are no threat to societyis a disgraceful and inhuman practice which must cease.

Gary Orman
Family Wrongs

Signed on: Tue 18 Dec 2007 12:24:31 GMT

The measure of a 'civilised' society is how it treats its sick and vulnerable members. Genuinely sick people are not criminals. And criminals who are not violent are no great danger to the rest of us.

Mental health practice is still very barbaric in our modern age of abundance, riches and extraordinary scientific advances.

We are seeing a resurgence of Eugenics, but instead of sterilising the 'undesirables', we keep 'em out of sight. Then we can pretend to be more 'humane' than our ancestors, who were probably Nazi sympathisers too. The only difference being that British people prefer to implement a Final Solution themselves. Britain is moving inexorably to a state-controlled society not unlike Hitler's Germany in the 1930's. We are trying to emulate the USA it seems, currently the Fourth Reich. The parallels are astounding. Only the methods are more subtle, to pay lip-service to 'democracy'.

Britain's human rights record is appalling and yet many of our top politicians have the audacity to criticise China or Burma or Zimbabwe. We don't need more women or young people in prison. We need to find a way to address poverty by actively helping people to live fulfilled and dignified lives.

If the option to imprison people were removed then the authorities will be forced to consider more humane and effective ways of dealing with poverty and mental illness.

Karen Kershaw
Criminology Student

Signed on: Tue 18 Dec 2007 12:26:10 GMT

I found the Corston report very interesting. Let's hope many of the recommendations are taken by the Gocvernment. More focus on prevention and a multi-lateral approach.

christina christina
human

Signed on: Wed 12 Dec 2007 11:28:58 GMT

stop locking women up

Jodie Allen
Southmead Hospital

Signed on: Wed 12 Dec 2007 11:29:08 GMT

I just hope this gets looked at properly!

Pete Brown
Izquierda Unida (Spain)

Signed on: Wed 12 Dec 2007 11:29:16 GMT

We must campaign as hard as possible for the Corston review to be acted upon as it stands and as quickly as possible.

Louise Whittle

Signed on: Wed 12 Dec 2007 11:29:28 GMT

It is 'bout time there was justice for women prisoners and that New Labour should understand a little more and condemn a little less....

Janice Baker
Older Feminist Network

Signed on: Wed 12 Dec 2007 11:29:39 GMT

Women in custody represent a disruption of the family while community service is as effective in most cases

Joanne Cheung

Signed on: Wed 12 Dec 2007 11:29:56 GMT

As a future law student, I hope that justice is found for these victims sentenced to imprisonment, simply because there is no other more "convenient" alternative. I believe the law CAN change.

Helen Alford
student

Signed on: Wed 12 Dec 2007 11:30:12 GMT

Having undertaken research recently into how prison affects women I feel very strongly that something has to change. I am very moved by the situation of mothers in prison, which is very damaging for both the woman and her children. I hope very much that the Corston Review will effect a change.

Mr Mcauslan
None

Signed on: Wed 12 Dec 2007 11:30:28 GMT

I support this petition

Joe Brady

Signed on: Tue 20 Nov 2007 14:54:56 GMT

This is something we need to act on

pete whittaker
university of northampton

Signed on: Wed 12 Dec 2007 11:30:37 GMT

as someone who teaches about criminal justice I am appalled at the poor knowledge and populist perspective of many undergraduates. The government needs to be brave and follow the guidelines of the review and begin to create a new dialogue about how we respond to crime generally and women in the criminal justice system in particular. The end of the Howard era of pupulist punitiveness is I hope at its end.

SAM DRISCOLL

Signed on: Wed 12 Dec 2007 11:31:11 GMT

LOCKING WOMEN UP ISNT THE ANSWER IN THE MAJORITY OF CRIMES.SUPPORT AND A STRONG SOCIAL NETWORK IS WHATS NEEDED.PUNISHING MOTHERS IS WRONG WHEN THIER LOCKED UP UNABLE TO NATURE THIER CHILDREN.

Eliana Werhun
Women's Alcohol Service

Signed on: Wed 14 Nov 2007 14:07:23 GMT

I fully support this campaign

Cordelia Mayfield
ARP Women's Alcohol Service

Signed on: Wed 12 Dec 2007 11:34:00 GMT

Women who misuse alcohol have a high incidence of complex needs including mental health, domestic violence, offending and child protection. It would make social and economic sense to address these needs together under 1 roof at women's centres in every borough throughout the country.

Isabel Ros Lopez

Signed on: Wed 14 Nov 2007 08:11:32 GMT

I agree

Catherine Andrew
NACRO

Signed on: Wed 12 Dec 2007 11:34:34 GMT

As a person who works in the prison system, who supports women in their re-intergration into the general population, I feel strongly that there should be more support and education, rather than sentencing.

Emily Ayres
The Last Women

Signed on: Wed 12 Dec 2007 11:34:56 GMT

It is so important to fully understand the complexity of the woman's living circumstances before judgement/treatment is passed.