Boosting support for female offenders

16th Mar, 2011 to 30th Sep, 2011

Derbyshire Probation has expanded the support available to female offenders.  Whilst women represent only 14 percent of offenders we supervise, they are often amongst the most vulnerable people we deal with.

Since July 2010, staff at Chesterfield have been running Women's Coffee Moring networking events.  Open to all women reporting in Chesterfield, these meetings bring together offenders and a wide range of support agencies.  The events are voluntary and held in a relaxed environment.  

Both offenders and agency staff have found the meetings a valuable exercise, with the January 2011 event being the best attended to date.  So much so that six women have now signed up for agency courses.

Similar opffender support work is being undertaken in Derby through the auspices of a local based women's support agency.