By Simon Caldwell
THE CATHOLIC AGENCY for Social Concern (of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales) has launched a report which expresses deep concern over the rising number of women criminals who have been given custodial sentences.
The report, Women In Prison, attempts to identify the ways the figure, which has soared by 72 per cent since 1991, can be reduced and looks at methods of maintaining links between women in jail and their children.
It also argues that many of the 3,166 women in jail in England and Wales should not be in prison at all.
The report includes a list of 12 recommendations which the agency will send to the Home Office.