Community Justice Consultant
In Scotland between 1500 and 2000 children are affected by the imprisonment of their mother each year. Only 5% of these children will remain in the family home while their mother is in prison. For a summary of some of the evidence around this, you can refer, for examples to the Prison Reform Trust Report ‘What about me? – The impact on children when mothers are involved in the criminal justice system’ or ‘Why focus on reducing women’s imprisonment? – Scotland Fact Sheet’ – CLICK ON THE PICTURE LINKS BELOW:
Figure 1
Figure 2
To raise awareness and illustrate of the issues around the impact imprisonment can have on children when their mother is imprisoned and why it is so important that mothers at risk of custody tell their solicitor or social worker that they have children a series of 4 films were launched earlier this year (2021). These films were produced for Sentencers, Advocates, Defence Agents, Criminal Justice Social Workers and mothers at risk if custody. There is also a stand-alone film that tells the true moving account of the enormous impact a prison sentence had on a mother and her 2 boys, entitled Ang’s story.
The films for Sentencers are hosted by the Judicial Institute for Scotland to be used for training and awareness raising for all High Court judges and Sheriffs in Scotland. The film for Advocates, Defence Agents and Criminal Justice Social Workers is also hosted by the Judicial Institute for Scotland and Community Justice Scotland. Community Justice Scotland will use this film for training of Criminal Justice Social Workers and others involved in delivering support to women involved in offending (these are for internal use).
The film for mothers at risk of custody and Ang’s story are available below or via the following link: www.cjpinkman.com.
Margaret Smith Policy, Planning & Development Officer for Community Justice Glasgow commented:
“These films were produced by Anne Pinkman with the support of the Prison Reform Trust , Community Justice Scotland and Families Outside.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Improvement Service provided a significant contribution towards the funding of these films. Shine Women’s Mentoring Service also provided financial support. It was due to the benefits of networking and broad membership of the Glasgow Working Group in Women (GWGWO) that Anne access the funding.
The GWGWO brings a wide range of partners together under the Community Justice Glasgow Priority Theme of Women – one of the 9 priorities agreed for the Community Justice Glasgow Outcome Improvement Plan CLICK ON THE PICTURE LINK BELOW TO FIND OUT MORE. The Group work towards setting and delivering a local collaborative strategy for women involved in the justice system in Glasgow.
For more information on the Cross-Party Working Group on Women in the Justice system CLICK HERE for the article.”
