The sentencing of women with mental health problems needs to be re-examined, MSP's said on Tuesday.
An inquiry by Holyrood’s Equal Opportunities Committee into the treatment of female offenders raised "deep concern". Evidence in the investigation revealed some women are so severely unwell that they should be in hospital. But MSPs were also told there may be insufficient opportunities for treatment outside Cornton Vale – Scotland’s only jail for women.
The report found that evidence that "too many" women behind bars pose only a threat to themselves and concerns were raised over the "limited" quality of mental health care in the jail.
It stated: "The committee is deeply concerned by the suggestion that there are women in Cornton Vale whose mental health problems are so severe that they would be better treated elsewhere."
About 80% of women in jail have mental health problems, and about 2% of those should be in hospital, Scottish Prisons Service director of health and care Dr Andrew Fraser told the committee. He suggested 10% of the women could be treated with support in the community.
The report added: "The committee calls for re-examination of the way that women with mental health problems are sentenced by the courts. This could help to minimise the number of such women being imprisoned and, consequently, result in more resources being available to address rehabilitation in prison."
Committee convener Margaret Mitchell MSP said: "The committee learned that women’s experiences of the criminal justice system are different from men’s and that some of these differences may stem from or result in discrimination or inequality.
"Given this, more action needs to be taken by the Scottish Government and other public bodies to prevent re-offending by female offenders, by fully addressing their needs and individual circumstances."
She said the committee was concerned that some women deliberately commit offences just to access services provided at Cornton Vale. Ms Mitchell said the work of the 218 Centre in Glasgow, which provides services in the community rather than prison, should be expanded.
Women accounted for about 5% of the prison population in 2007-8, according to official figures.
In response to the report, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "It's clear that more and more people, including this committee, are agreeing with the Scottish Government's position that prison should only be for the serious offenders who commit the serious crimes.
"That's why we have been working hard to ensure more low level offenders are given the chance to address the underlying causes of their behaviour rather than serve ineffective short jail sentences. We need to create a prison system that is fit for the 21st century.
"We recognise the issues which face female offenders are complex and the Scottish Government will respond to the detail of the committee's findings later, once we have had a chance to study them in detail."
