FEMALE OFFENDERS 2011

Transcription

1 FEMALE OFFENDERS th Survey Bulletin Strategy Unit James Carnie & Róisín Broderick December 2011

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3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Relationships & Atmosphere Relationships between women and staff were reported as particularly favourable by respondents. The majority of female (95%) rated their relationships with other prisoners in positive terms. Similarly, women considered their relationships with officers in their hall (93%), vehicle staff on court escort (88%) and court staff (86%) in positive terms. Food There has been an overall decrease in female satisfaction with food since A majority expressed reasonable satisfaction with the timing of meals (79%) although that represents a slight decrease on the 2009 figure (84%). However, less than half reported the condition of the food when it was served (46%), portion size (46%) and choice of menu (47%) in positive terms compared with 2009 figures, (66%, 65%, and 62% respectively). Cleanliness The level of cleanliness in the majority of areas in the prison was rated highly by most women prisoners, who described the cleanliness as ok, fairly good or very good in their hall/dormitory (79%), the toilet area (76%) and the shower area (72%). Male reported slightly higher degrees of satisfaction with the cleanliness of their hall (83%), toilet area (82%) and showers (76%). Hygiene & Fitness Prisoners were asked to comment on a number of hygiene-related issues. The majority of female prisoners reported having access on a daily basis to a shower (96%), exercise (95%) and to cell cleaning materials (93%). Over nine in ten (93%) reported having access to hand washing facilities during the day. Healthcare In respect to use of medical services while in their present prison, higher percentage of female than male reported accessing nursing staff (82%) and doctors (72%), whilst a third (36%) had accessed mental health staff and had used the services of a dentist (30%) while in prison. Mental health & well-being Prisoners were asked questions on mental health by way of an instrument known as the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS). Three quarters of female prisoners were feeling optimistic about the future (75%) and dealing with problems well (71%). Six in ten reported feeling relaxed (61%), feeling good about themselves (60%) and feeling confident (59%), compared to three quarters of male prisoners (74%, 72% and 73% respectively). Hepatitis C Almost nine in ten (86%) female prisoners were aware of what Hepatitis C was and fifteen percent (n=57) thought that they were Hepatitis C positive compared with ten percent of male prisoners (n=3796). Alcohol use Prisoners were asked a number of questions about alcohol use/dependency inside and outside prison. Over four in ten female who completed a questionnaire (42%) reported being drunk at the time of their offence, compared to half (50%) of male prisoners. Smoking The majority of female (88%) reported that they smoked and six in ten (59%) of those shared a cell with a smoker. Almost half (47%) of those who smoked expressed a desire to give up smoking. Drug use

4 Seven in ten (71% n=267) of female reported that they had used drugs in the 12 months prior to coming into prison (compared to 61% (n=2309)) of male. One third of female prisoners reported that they were being prescribed methadone (36%) and of these a majority (82%) reported that it controlled their craving. Parents Two thirds of female prisoners reported having children (65%) compared to half of male prisoners (52%). Four in ten of female prisoners (39%) received visits from their children compared to one third of male prisoners (33%). In care as a child Over one third of female prisoners in the survey had been in care as a child (37%) compared with just over a quarter (27%) of male prisoners. Of these more than a quarter (28%) of females were in care at the age of sixteen compared with one fifth of male prisoners (20%). Safety One in seven (14% (n=51)) female prisoners expressed fear for their safety in prison in the last month (male prisoners 14% n=529). Bullying The vast majority of female prisoners (83%) did not report any bullying behaviour. Of those who indicated that they had been bullied (17% (n=61)), the most common types of bullying were name calling, canteen issues and drugs. Of those who were bullied, four in ten female (41%) reported the incident.

5 FEMALE OFFENDERS 2011 Introduction This Bulletin, which deals specifically with female prisoners held by the Scottish Prison Service, is one of a number of thematic commentaries presenting the key findings from the 2011 Prisoner Survey. The Prisoner Survey was introduced to the Scottish Prison Service in 1990 as a mechanism to inform and support the Service s business planning process. The focus of the Survey has expanded over the years. The Survey continues to focus upon the core elements of prison life: living conditions, family contact, healthcare, relationships, atmosphere and perceived safety. This year s questionnaire also introduced new topics on engagement with programmes, in care as a child, military service and accessing Prison Rules. The Survey informs and shapes change by contributing to establishment and corporate business plans. The Survey was carried out between May and July 2011 on an establishment-by-establishment basis. However, the Survey in HMP Edinburgh was undertaken in October 2011 to allow female prisoners to settle in Ratho Hall. Prisoners views were collected by means of a self-completion questionnaire, which was distributed and collected personally by the members of the Survey team or by local staff. The Survey involves all prisoners and all establishments. The Thirteenth Survey achieved an overall prisoner response rate of 61%. A total of 375 women participated in this Survey 1. Of those: Average age 33yrs; 16% were on remand and 84% convicted; and 74% were serving short-term sentences 2 and 26% serving long-term sentences. Respondents remand and custodial sentence history is outlined in Table 1. This shows that women were most likely to report having been on remand between 1 and 5 times (47%), followed by having never previously been on remand (28%). A few women (12%) had been on remand 6-10 times and a similar number (13%) reported being on remand over ten times. Four in ten women respondents (41%) had never previously served a prison sentence or had served between 1 and 5 sentences (41%). Almost one fifth (18%) of female respondents had served more than 5 sentences. Table 1. Female Offenders Custodial History Never 1-5 times 6-10 times Over 10 times Number of times previously on remand Number of times previously on a sentence All those incarcerated in HMP & YOI Cornton Vale and groups in other establishments who reported that they were women prisoners. 2 Sentences of under 4 years.

6 One third of those responding to the survey have served a sentence in the community (34%) compared to four in ten (44%) male prisoners. A quarter of female prisoners (24%) have received a custodial sentence as a result of breaching a community sentence which is a similar figure to male prisoners (28%). Relationships & Atmosphere Relationships between women and staff were reported as particularly favourable by respondents. The majority of female (95%) rated their relationships with other prisoners in positive terms. Similarly, women considered their relationships with officers in their hall (93%), vehicle staff on court escort (88%) and court staff (86%) in positive terms. Food There has been an overall decrease in female satisfaction with food since A majority expressed reasonable satisfaction with the timing of meals (79%),although that represents a slight decrease on the 2009 figure (84%). However, less than half reported the condition of the food when it was served (46%), portion size (46%) and choice of menu (47%) in positive terms compared with 2009 figures (66%, 65%, and 62% respectively). Cleanliness The level of cleanliness in the majority of areas in the prison was rated highly by most women prisoners, who described the cleanliness as ok, fairly good or very good in their hall/dormitory (79%), the toilet area (76%) and the shower area (72%). Male reported higher degrees of satisfaction with cleanliness of their hall (83%), toilet area (82%) and showers (76%). Prisoners were asked to rate the condition of their cell as it was when they first moved into it. In general, a majority of women prisoners expressed satisfaction with their initial cell condition with six in ten that levels of cleanliness were ok or better (58%), which is the same as male (57%). Hygiene & Fitness Prisoners were asked to comment on a number of hygiene-related issues. The majority of female prisoners reported having access on a daily basis to a shower (96%), exercise (95%) and to cell cleaning materials (93%). Over nine in ten (93%) reported having access to hand washing facilities during the day. Table 2 illustrates the comparisons between female and male prisoners regarding personal hygiene and fitness. TABLE 2. PERSONAL HYGIENE & FITNESS % female % male If I want, I can have a shower everyday I have access to hand washing facilities during the day I have access to cell cleaning materials If I want, I can take daily exercise 95 95

7 Healthcare Prisoners were asked about their use of medical services while in their present prison. A higher percentage of female than male reported accessing nursing staff (82%) and doctors (72%), whilst a third (36%) had accessed mental health staff and had used the services of a dentist (30%) while in prison. One fifth of female reported having a disability (19%) and just over a quarter (28%) have a long-term illness (male prisoners reported 19% and 25% respectively). Mental health & well-being Prisoners were asked questions on mental health by way of an instrument known as the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) (see Table 3). Three quarters of female prisoners were feeling optimistic about the future (75%) and dealing with problems well (71%). Six in ten reported feeling relaxed (61%), feeling good about themselves (60%) and feeling confident (59%) compared to three quarters of male prisoners (74%, 72% and 73% respectively). Table 3. Mental health & well-being: comparison of positive ratings Female & male prisoners 2011 Some, Often, and All of the time Female prisoners Some, Often, and All of the time Male prisoners I ve been feeling optimistic about the future I ve been feeling useful I ve been feeling relaxed I ve been feeling interested in other people I ve had energy to spare I ve been dealing with problems well I ve been thinking clearly I ve been feeling good about myself I ve been feeling close to other people I ve been feeling confident I ve been able to make up my own mind about things I ve been feeling loved I ve been interested in new things I ve been feeling cheerful Hepatitis C Almost nine in ten (86%) female prisoners were aware of what Hepatitis C was and fifteen percent (n=57) thought that they were Hepatitis C positive compared with ten percent of male prisoners (n=3796). Over half (54%) of those females who responded to the Survey had been tested before coming into prison and a majority (85%) reported that they would take a Hepatitis C test in prison if it was offered to them. Over half (56%) had been given information about Hepatitis C while in prison which is an increase of 11% on the 2009 figure (45%). This is probably attributable to the Hepatitis C prevalence and incidence research undertaken across prisons in 2010.

8 Alcohol use Prisoners were asked a number of questions about alcohol use/dependency inside and outside prison. Over four in ten female who completed a questionnaire (42%) reported being drunk at the time of their offence compared to half (50%) of male prisoners. A quarter (24%) of female reported that drinking affected their ability to hold down a job and a similar number (21%) were worried that alcohol would be a problem for them upon their release. One third had been assessed for alcohol use on admission (33%) and one fifth of respondents (20%) had received treatment whilst in prison. Table 4 shows a 4 year comparison in responses to the alcohol questions. TABLE 4. PRISONERS VIEWS ON ALCOHOL 2007 % 2008 % 2009 % 2011 % I was drunk at the time of my offence My drinking affected my ability to hold down a job My drinking affected my relationship with my family If I was offered help in prison for alcohol problems I would take it If I was offered help on the outside for alcohol problems I would take it I am worried that alcohol will be a problem for me when I get out I was assessed for alcohol use on my admission to prison I have been given the chance to receive treatment during my sentence I have received treatment for alcohol problems during my sentence Smoking Table 5 below shows that the majority of female (88%) reported that they smoked and six in ten (59%) of those shared a cell with a smoker. Almost half (47%) of those who smoked expressed a desire to give up smoking. TABLE 5. SMOKING RELATED ISSUES IN PRISON % of male Are you a smoker? If yes, do you want to give up smoking? Do you share your cell with a smoker? Have you received advice on smoking & its related health risks since coming into prison? Drug use Seven in ten (71% n=267) female reported that they had used drugs in the 12 months prior to coming into prison (compared to 61% (n=2309)) of male. One third of female

9 prisoners reported that they were being prescribed methadone (36%) and of these, a majority (82%) reported that it controlled their craving. Table 6 below illustrates the comparison in drug use at the time of offence between female prisoners and their male counterparts. It is evident that drug use remains a significant issue for female. TABLE 6. DRUG USE AT TIME OF OFFENCE % of male My drug taking was a problem for me on the outside I was under the influence of drugs at the time of my offence I committed my offence to get money for drugs I was receiving treatment for my drug use before my imprisonment Drug use in present prison in the last month: One quarter of female prisoners (26% (n=92)) reported that they had used drugs in the last month while in prison compared to one fifth of male prisoners (19% (n=716). In both groups, heroin was the most commonly used drug. For three quarters of prisoners drug use generally decreases (Table 7). TABLE 7. Has drug use changed since coming in to prison? prisoners % of male prisoners Drug use INCREASED since coming into prison Drug use DECREASED since coming into prison Same use but DIFFERENT DRUGS A minority (2% (n=7) of female prisoners reported injecting drugs in prison in the last month (compared to 2% (n=49) of male prisoners). Contact with family and friends Contact with friends and family in the community is of vital importance to the majority of prisoners and can impact on their quality of life and mental welfare. Table 8 illustrates that female and male prisoners had regular contact with their friends and family by letter (female 82% compared to 74% of males), by telephone (both parties 79%) and contact through visits (female 64% compared to 66% of males). % of male TABLE 8. CONTACT WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS No regular contact 5 9 Contact by letter Contact by telephone Contact by visits Contact by home leave 3 5

10 As Table 9 illustrates, female prisoners reported less positively than male prisoners regarding the length of the visit (50% compared to 65%), facilities for children at visits (57% compared to 73%) and timing of visits (65% compared to 76%). Overall, female prisoners were less content than male prisoners with most aspects of visits which represents a change from 2009 results. TABLE 9. PRISONERS VIEWS ON VISITS % of male Access to family and friends Access to FCO in this prison The length of visit The ability to arrange visits Facilities for children at visits Facilities for disabled visitors Timing of visits Quality of visit The discrepancy between female and male on visits is further explored in Table 10 below which examines Cornton Vale, Greenock and Edinburgh separately. It can be seen that Cornton Vale performs particularly poorly on the length of visits (40%) and facilities for children at visits (51%). Edinburgh appears to underperform on the timing of visits (55%). TABLE 10. PRISONERS VIEWS ON VISITS Cornton Vale Greenock Edinburgh Access to family and friends Access to FCO in this prison The length of visit The ability to arrange visits Facilities for children at visits Facilities for disabled visitors Timing of visits Quality of visit Almost three quarters of female (72%) reported that their families and friends faced difficulties visiting them compared to two thirds of male prisoners (63%). Distance, cost and time limits were the most commonly reported problems for both female and male prisoners. Parents Two thirds of female prisoners reported having children (65%) compared to half of male prisoners (52%). Four in ten female prisoners (39%) received visits from their children compared to one third of male prisoners (33%).

11 In care as a child Over one third of female prisoners in the survey had been in care as a child (37%) compared with just over a quarter (27%) of male prisoners. More than a quarter (28%) of females reported being in care at the age of sixteen compared with one fifth of male prisoners (20%). Safety One in seven (14% (n=51)) female prisoners expressed fear for their safety in prison in the last month (male prisoners 14% n=529). Bullying The vast majority of female prisoners (83%) did not report any bullying behaviour. Of those who indicated that they had been bullied (17% (n=61)), the most common types of bullying were name calling, canteen issues and drugs. Of those who were bullied, four in ten female (41%) reported the incident. Accommodation Figure 1 illustrates the type of accommodation in which respondents lived prior to coming into prison. Four in ten female prisoners were council tenants (42%) compared with one third of male prisoners (35%). Less than one in ten female prisoners reported being owner-occupiers (7%), compared to 16% of their male prisoners. Just over half of female prisoners reported that they lost their tenancy accommodation while in prison (compared to 48% of male prisoners). Prisoners were also asked where they would live upon their release with four in ten females (40%) unsure compared to one third of male prisoners (35%).

12 Literacy & Numeracy In the region of one in eight female prisoners reported that they had difficulty with writing (13%), reading (15%) and numbers (17%), compared with male prisoners 17%, 14% and 13% respectively. Comment While Cornton Vale remains the main establishment for holding women, females are now held in a number of prisons across the estate. Ratho Hall in HMP Edinburgh houses around 115 women, while Darroch Halll in HMP Greenock provides places for 55 female. Accommodation in the Community Integration Units in HMP Aberdeen (8 Places) and HMP Inverness (6 places) is available for women with relevant Northern postcodes who meet certain pre-release criteria. This year s Female Offenders Bulletin is, therefore, more than just a report on a single establishment. The main themes though, remain familiar. In 2011, 42 reported being drunk at the time of their offence, compared to half (50%) of male prisoners. Over the last few years female drinking associated with offending behaviour has began to catch up on male counterparts, although this year s result does represent a slight downturn from 2009 (45%). Fewer female prisoners this year (24% in 2011; 29% in 2009)) felt drinking affected their ability to hold down a job. This brings the figure down to a comparable level with male counterparts (25%). A fifth (21% in 2011; 25% in 2009) were worried that alcohol would be a problem for them upon their release, which is slightly lower than male prisoners (24%). A third (34%) reported that drinking had affected their relationships with their family (38% males). Four in ten women would take help for their alcohol problems either in prison or the community. More women than men reported drug use to be a problem to them when in the community (57% female; 40% male) and more stated that they were under the influence of drugs at the time of the offence (59% female; 44% male). A third (35%) were receiving treatment for their drug use before imprisonment compared to a fifth of men (20%) and 34% had committed their offence to get money for drugs (18% males). Seven in ten (71%) female prisoners reported that they had used drugs in the twelve months prior to coming into prison, compared to 61% of male. Generally, drug taking among women was more prevalent than their male counterparts. Six in ten (58%) women reported that drug taking was a problem for them on the outside (36% of male prisoners reported this as an issue). Similarly, six in ten women (60%) were under the influence of drugs at the time of their offence compared to 42% of men at the time the offence was committed. Over a third of women (35%) indicated that they committed their offence to obtain money for drugs, a much higher proportion than males (16%). Reported drug use in prison in the last month remains the same as in 2009 at 26%, a figure also higher than male prisoners (19%). Of those females who did report some drug use, the most commonly used drug was heroin, the same as adult males. Over a third of female prisoners (36%) reported that they were being prescribed methadone. As with male counterparts, women expressed high levels of satisfaction with the atmosphere and the relationships, which reflects well on the efforts of staff in managing often complex personal problems amongst this particular population.

13 However, there has been a decrease in satisfaction levels with food provision since the last Survey. While a majority of women continued to express satisfaction with the timing of meals (79% in 20011; 84% in 2009), other features of food provision have declined quite markedly. Less than half expressed positive satisfaction levels with the condition of the food (46% in 2011; 66% in 2009); portion size (46% in 2011; 65% in 2009); and choice of menu (47% in 2011; 62% in 2009). Although similar percentages of female and male reported positively on visiting arrangements, there were noticeable discrepancies on a few key indicators. The length of the visit (50% female; 65% male), the timing of the visit (65% female; 76% male) and the facilities for children at visits (57% female; 73 male) all received lower satisfaction ratings from female prisoners. When the three large establishments holding women were compared directly, Corton Vale fared particularly poorly. For the first time the 2011 asked whether prisoners had been in care at any point during their childhood. Over a third (37%) reported being in care, as compared to a quarter of male prisoners (27%). This again tends to emphasise the higher levels of social and psychological disadvantage to be found in the female prisoner population.