"Sentencing framework review welcome," says BPS

Responding to the launch of the Sentencing Review from the government, Professor Nic Bowes from the British Psychological Society's Division of Forensic Psychology said: 

"We enthusiastically welcome the government's decision to review the sentencing framework in England and Wales. It is particularly encouraging to see that the sentencing framework will be reviewed to consider the specific needs of women, young adults and older people held in prison. Psychologists play a key role in supporting people held in prison through the processes of recovery and moving away from crime. Through their work creating psychologically informed environments, trauma informed care and rehabilitative cultures, their work helps people to reduce the risk of reoffending and create opportunities for rehabilitation and reconnection with the community. We must ensure that prison environments are appropriately resourced to both meet the needs of people held in prison and support them in the process of recovery and away from crime. 

"We particularly welcome the move to consider amending the sentencing framework to take into account the specific needs and vulnerabilities of women in prison. We know that women in prison are often victims of more serious offences than the ones they are held in prison for. Prison also creates a huge risk for women in terms of harm to themselves when compared to women in the community. It is no surprise to us that women do not fare well in a system designed by men for men, so this is both a very welcome and a long overdue change. 

"We continue to press the government to implement the IPP re-sentencing exercise. We remain concerned about the psychological harm of IPP sentences, a sentence which has long been acknowledged as unjust. The government must address this as a priority, and we will be responding to the Review in due course."