The Use and Gendered Impact of Short-Term Sentences on Women.

Short-term prison sentences are disproportionately handed to women, specifically for low-level and persistent offending. Too often short sentences cause long-term damage to women’s and their families lives, and avoidable disruption is caused. Short sentences interrupt any community support women may have been receiving and make it incredibly difficult to successfully engage in rehabilitative services in prison. Limited positive change can take place when short sentences are being served and this is resulting in re-offending, and consequently short sentences are being used as a response and the cycle continues. This research paper will explore the use and gendered impact of short-term sentences on women and argue that despite the excessive use of them for women, there appears to be more disruption taking place and not enough rehabilitation.