Why are women’s prisons "not working"?

"Prison isn't working" for women, according to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.  <br />   <br />She told the Labour Party conference that after serving a short custodial sentence, women are more likely to reoffend than those given a non-custodial sentence. Women are also less likely to get a job after leaving jail than men.  <br />  <br />As the government launches an inquiry into reoffending rates, Niall is joined by Sky’s home editor Jason Farrell who has visited a women's jail to see what conditions are like, and hears from former inmate turned researcher Scarlett Roberts about her experience of rehabilitation in prison. <br /><br /> <br /><b>In response to Jason’s reporting, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: </b><br />  <br />"For many women, prison isn’t working. Most women in prisons are victims themselves. Over half are mothers, with a prison sentence separating parent and child.   <br />  <br />“That’s why I am establishing a new Women’s Justice Board, tasked with reducing the number of women in prison by exploring alternatives to custody for female offenders.” <br /> <br /><br /> <br />  <br />Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse  <br />Editor: Paul Stanworth <br />