Engendering Justice - from Policy to Practice - The Fawcett Society

Some magistrates noted that they felt as females thatthey were treated differently by male colleagues and oftenafforded less respect. As one described:On one of my early sittings I was handed paperwork (presentencereports, means forms, court listings, etc.) by the(male) chairman of the bench to carry for him. I remindedhim that they were his papers, since I already had my ownset – he said ‘No, I want you to give them to the Clerk.I had the distinct impression I was being treated as hissecretary because I was female and relatively young. 254However, most responses indicated that females weretreated on an equal footing with their male counterparts andthat there had been a definite improvement over the years.I think the opinion of female magistrates, as being “twinset & pearls” that had to “do” something no longer existsas it did…16 years ago. I feel completely equal to mymale colleagues – whether they like it or not. 255The gender balance within the Magistracy allows forwomen to be well represented on the bench and this wasconsidered important by most magistrates who shared theirviews with the Commission. The challenge is for this femalerepresentation to be replicated in the judiciary.ProbationAlthough the probation service is a female dominatedprofession and has a significantly better gender balance atsenior levels than other criminal justice agencies (67.53%of probation service staff are women and 19 out of 40 chiefofficers of probation are women) 256 , female employees stillexperience discrimination. For example, women told theCommission that they had felt disadvantaged after takingcareer breaks due to caring responsibilities. Additionallylong working hours, particularly evening work, alsoimpacted on family life.my children were young and at school…any family crisiswould be accommodated by probation.” 257 Many probationservices provided the Commission with examples of theirgender equality schemes.A recent study by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studiesconcluded that although in real terms the budget of theprobation service has increased more than other criminaljustice agencies, the notable decline in qualified staff andtrainees and the significant structural changes has seen theworkload of qualified probation officers and all main gradeofficers increase by 28 percent and 35 percent respectivelyin the period 2002-2006. 258 The stresses associated withan increased workload are likely to particularly impacton women with caring responsibilities and this should becarefully monitored.Given the female-dominated nature of the probationservice, there has been less research around discriminatorypractices. However, women working in the probationservice told the Commission that they faced obstacles dueto the male-defined nature of the criminal justice system. Asone senior probation officer remarked, “the criminal justicesystem and probation is very male orientated and machowith more value placed on male macho/male qualities.” 259This male-defined culture is also reflected in the nature ofprogrammes which are available to female offenders, asnoted in Chapter Three.Respondents also commented that the particular skills theybrought to their role in the probation service as womenwere often not acknowledged. As one probation officerstated concerning what she would change about thesystem “Recognition that both male and female workershave an important role to play in the probation servicebecause of their differences and not despite them.” 260HM Inspectorate of Probation should carry out a thematicinspection on sex equality to help pinpoint discriminatorypractices and cultures that female employees experience.However, there was recognition that the probation servicewas fairer towards women than many other professions.As one case administrator remarked, “I have worked forProbation for seventeen years, I worked part-time whenPage 77