In response to a BBC Wales story on the numbers of Welsh women in prison for non-violent offences, Sophie Howe commented on how the impact on children and young people and contributes to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales said:

“Putting women into prison for non-violent crimes has huge repercussions and is the worst possible solution for our future generations.

“By doing this, the system is perpetuating intergenerational cycles of poor mental health and physical health. A previous study has shown that over 80% of all criminal activity in Britain is attributed to people who have suffered trauma in childhood and adolescence.

“Questions need to be asked to find out why women are committing non-violent crimes like theft in the first place, for examples has the woman suffered Adverse Childhood Experience, is she living in poverty?

“The justice system should also better reflect current evidence and legislation such as the Well-being of Future Generations Act, which requires a preventative, long-term approach to the way our public services meet the needs of people not the system.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46591980

To find more about Adverse Childhood Experiences, one of the Commissioner’s six priority areas visit Our Work page.