APPG Inquiry on Girls and the Penal System
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on women in the penal system is conducting an independent inquiry on girls and the penal system. The inquiry is co-chaired by Baroness Corston and Kate Green MP and members of the steering group include Roberta Blackman-Woods MP, Rt Hon Elfyn Llwyd MP, Madeleine Moon MP, Baroness Linklater and Baroness Masham.
The aim of the inquiry is to achieve real change in the lives of young girls in need and to bring about a reduction in the number of girls who enter the criminal justice system.
The inquiry is focusing on policy and practice regarding girls and investigating the decisions that route girls away from or into the criminal justice system. It is looking at how the police and the courts deal with girls who come into contact with the criminal justice system and the different approaches to working with girls, both nationally and internationally.
The All Party Parliamentary Group is collating evidence from charities, statutory services and local authorities, examining national government policy and will hear oral evidence in parliament over the coming year. See who has submitted evidence to the inquiry.
It will make recommendations for reform across the social and penal systems.
Briefing papers
Keeping girls out of the penal system, outlines the initial findings of the inquiry and is available to download here.
Read the ministerial responses to the APPG briefing and recommendations
Oral hearings
Tuesday 25 October 2011 Oral hearing on good practice, Houses of Parliament
Tuesday 29 November 2011 Oral hearing on policing, Houses of Parliament
Tuesday 24 January 2012 Oral hearing on formal sanctions, Houses of Parliament
Tuesday 13 March 2012 Oral hearing on girls and custody
Parliamentary visits
Members of the APPG visited Milan from 28-31 March 2012 to investigate the Italian juvenile justice system and provision for girls.
Written evidence
The inquiry is keen to receive written submissions from agencies working with girls including voluntary sector organisations, local authority children's services, youth services, CAMHS, YOTs, the police, health and education providers.
For information on how to submit evidence, please read our guidelines.
Personal testimonies
The APPG inquiry is also keen to hear from individual girls and families who have had experience of the criminal justice system. Please contact the inquiry team at the address below if you would like to tell us about your experiences. We are happy to discuss how personal evidence and case studies could be used to inform the inquiry whilst at the same time protecting the anonymity of individuals involved.
The Howard league for Penal Reform is administering the inquiry. For more information contact Lorraine Atkinson at lorraine.atkinson@howardleague.org
