Birmingham’s innovative women’s court prioritizes support and supervision to reduce female incarceration.
I saw a mom with her baby there, and a shoplifter held a drink. This court aims to keep women out of prison by offering support and supervision instead.
This pilot program has good reasons, motivating my visit. I visited the court on February 13th to see how well it worked.
The court is in Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. It has a glass dock and wooden benches. Probation officers sat in the back, making it feel less scary than other courtrooms.
My visit started slowly that day. Security lines were very long because only one person checked bags. It caused big delays.
The judge arrived and started soon. Hannah Willis’s case was first. She was expected to bring her baby.
Willis came in with her baby. The judge said she could leave if needed. Willis admitted to assaulting a police officer, kicking him when drunk.
The judge learned Willis lacked housing and childcare was also a worry. The judge gave her a community order instead, requiring therapy and rehab. She paid the officer £50.
Next, Catlin Grose admitted to shoplifting. A probation officer said she was improving a lot. The judge delayed her sentence, letting Grose prove she can stay out of trouble.
A warrant was issued for a no-show defendant who stole glasses worth £705. Lindsay Chapman admitted to assault. The judge set an ISC order assessment. This order, only in Birmingham, can help.
A woman was brought up from the cells. She admitted shoplifting but lacked housing. Judges delayed her case seeking housing. Jodie Wynn had stolen coffee, chocolate, and even had a knife.
Wynn sat with a Greggs drink, though food is usually banned inside courts. She was no longer fit for the ISC order. Judges postponed her case as Wynn can improve.
Katie Donoghue was next. She failed to report benefit changes, resulting in an overpayment of £22,000 for five years.
Donoghue got a two-year ISC order, including drug rehab and mental health help. The judge talked to Donoghue privately, wanting her honesty and truth.
The court showed promise for some women. But why is the special support only for women?
This ISC started in June 2023. It’s one of a trial of problem-solving courts. Birmingham’s court targets women at risk of jail.
The government says female crimes have complex causes. Women get shorter sentences usually. They often have issues like trauma and abuse.
Many jailed mothers affect their families greatly. Manchester also has a successful program for women.
The government sees merits in joint services. But they still want to trial women-only courts. Female spaces can protect women and are ideal.
This women’s court seems more kind. It contrasts with courts with mostly men. I later saw two men jailed for very long terms as drug dealers who shot someone.