Letter: Women in custody

H. A. Thomas
Sunday 29 January 1995 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

From Mr H. A. Thomas Sir: The family problems arising from the remand of women into custody (Letters, 25 January) can often be reduced substantially by the appropriate use of bail hostels which cater for women.

These facilities, however, are thin on the ground -for example, there are only two bail beds for women in the whole of Wales. Such a situation clearly mitigates against their use as a secure environment and as an opportunity for mothers to keep in effective contact with their children, save in the areas where such bail facilities actually exist. Access to bail hostel facilities for men in similar positions is much more localised and available and it is regrettable that women are disadvantaged in the present set of arrangements.

What is required is a strategy for women in the remand system which recognises their particular family needs, together with special funding which would enable local developments to take place.

Yours faithfully, H. A THOMAS Chief Probation Officer North Wales Probation Service Colwyn Bay, Clwyd

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in