Complex lives: Enduring vulnerability associated with care-experience for women in the criminal justice system

Children who are care-experienced are criminalised at disproportionately high rates. The long-term vulnerability associated with care-experience has been established in male prisoners, who have higher rates of neurodisability, substance use, and homelessness. However, it is not known whether this enduring vulnerability impacts justice-involved women in the same way. This study addressed this gap using data collected from 66 women in contact with the criminal justice system in Wales, UK. In this sample, 29% of women were care-experienced. Care-experienced women were significantly more likely than those who were not care-experienced to have a diagnosed acquired brain injury, to have another neurodisability, to have attempted suicide, and to have experienced homelessness. This study contributes a new understanding of the unique, life-course vulnerabilities associated with care-experience in justice-involved women. This group would benefit from targeted mental health support, as well as support with housing on re-integration into the community.