A pioneering, first-of-its-kind new centre for women suffering with issues such as addiction and trauma is set to open in Swansea. The 12-bed Residential Women’s Centre will open its doors in 2024 for around 50 offenders a year who would have otherwise been handed a prison sentence of 12 months or less.
Designed to tackle the root causes of low-level female offending, the £10 million centre is being described as a "key part" of the Government’s plan to minimise the number of women sent to prison in England and Wales. It is specifically designed to address the fact that many women who commit low-level crimes, such as shoplifting, and minor drug and alcohol-fuelled crimes, are driven by underlying and complex factors.
Statistics show more than 60 per cent of women in custody have reported experience of domestic abuse, up to a third have been victims of sexual assault, and 50 per cent have drugs misuse needs. Get more Swansea stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter.
