Last week I met with reps from a local women’s prison. I am arranging a user engagement exercise to determine how best to work with women on release, particularly when they have substance misuse issues. I am doing the same at a men’s prison.

Two facts stood out in the women’s prison:

Elsewhere provision has been made to provide a stable safe home for women, to enable them to safely carry out a community sentence. There are also arrangements with local schools for their children if required.

Over the next few weeks I will be asking what progress the Wiltshire and Swindon PCC has made to ensure that the Criminal Justice System in Swindon and Wiltshire is a fair and safe place for women and their families.