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Dame Elish speaks on women offenders panel

The Rt Hon Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC FRSE spoke on a panel at the Centre for Criminology on Tuesday 12^th with Dr Shona Minson, and Kirstie Morrison, a former offender who now works with the Onestop Women’s Learning Service (OWLS).

Dame Elish began the discussion with her work chairing the Commission on Women Offenders and setting out the problems of mental health, alcohol and drug addiction that offenders grapple with, and some of the unique circumstances that needed to be taken into account for women in the justice system.

Kirstie Morrison spoke movingly about her life and experiences, and her work now with OWLS to support women.

Dr Shona Minson emphasised the disproportionate harms to women and their dependants when mothers were given jail sentences.

The panel was chaired by Professor Mary Bosworth, Director of the Centre for Criminology.