Launch of the Final Report of the Commission on Women and the Criminal Justice System

The final report of Fawcett's Commission on Women and the Criminal Justice System, Engendering Justice: from Policy to Practice was launched on 13 May 2009 with 95 people in attendance.

Baroness Jean Corston, Chair of the Commission presented the key findings and recommendations of the Commission on:

• Women accused or convicted of offences;
• Women victims; and
• Women working within the system.

Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Women and Equality and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice gave an address in response to the key recommendations of the report noting the importance of the gender equality duty, community alternatives to custody for non-violent female offenders and providing better protection for female victims of crime.

This was followed by a panel discussion between Fawcett Commissioners (Malcolm Dean, Liz Kelly and Liz Bavidge) and panel guests - Chief Constable
Sara Thornton; Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers; and Baroness Vivien Stern. This discussion was chaired by Baroness Corston and resulted in an interesting debate touching on issues such as community alternatives to custody; barriers to achieving gender balance in the criminal justice system; and the justice system response to victims of gender-based violence.

Fawcett would like to thank all of our guest speakers; attendees; Commissioners Malcolm Dean, Liz Kelly and Liz Bavidge and Baroness Jean Corston, Chair of the Commission for their contributions to such an interesting and thought-provoking event.

Sharon Smee (Justice Policy Officer) & Baroness Jean Corston (Chair of the Commission) at the Report Launch