Prison is different for women and men. For example, most women offenders have experienced abuse and mental health problems. Their children are more often taken in to care than those of their male counterparts, making prison much more difficult for women and their children. And female offenders are less likely to be convicted of violent crimes, but more likely to be sentenced to custody when they are.

Because of those differences, I believe we should treat women offenders specifically. This was the basis for the network of 46 Women’s Centres set up following the recommendations of the 2007 review led by Baroness Corston.

At their best, they provide help with substance misuse, counselling, therapy, domestic abuse programmes, life skills classes and workshops, referral to other help and, sometimes, on-site childcare and residential facilities.

The Ministry of Justice found Women’s Centres were generally better at reducing offending than custodial prison sentences. They were also found to improve women’s mental health, parenting and life skills. Despite this success, budgets have been cut and many women’s centres no longer exist or now offer reduced services.

In my speech, I argued that the government’s £80 million sale of Holloway Prison could be an opportunity to properly fund Women’s Centres again. These centres transform women’s lives.