Engendering Justice - from Policy to Practice - The Fawcett Society

ForewordFor the past five years, Fawcett’s Commission on Women and the Criminal Justice System has examined theexperiences of women as victims, offenders and workers in the criminal justice system. This unique Commissionhas published four reports and has achieved a number of key legislative, organisational and policy changes.Since its inception, the Commission’s work has benefited from the considerable and diverse expertise of itsCommissioners, drawn from across the criminal justice system and areas of public life. Vera Baird MP QCexpertly chaired the Commission until 2006 when she stepped down following her appointment as a minister inthe Department of Constitutional Affairs. I have been privileged to Chair this Commission since that time.This final report is an in-depth examination of the experiences of women in the criminal justice systemand incorporates testimony of women themselves to give voice to the diverse experiences of individuals.One of the key emerging themes is the persisting gap between strong policy development and consistentimplementation. This report contains detailed recommendations which address each stage of thecriminal justice process and which aim to close the widening gap between policy and practice.The Commission welcomes the Government’s work over the past five years towards ensuring that thecriminal justice system meets the needs of women but the pace of change has been disappointingly slow.There remains much work to be done. Part Two of this final report sets out the Commission’s vision of ajustice system which recognises and responds to the unique needs, experiences and skills of women and theinstitutional change which is needed to achieve this. It is up to each of us to work towards this goal.Baroness Jean Corston,Chair, Commission on Women and the Criminal Justice SystemPage 5