WoW is a virtual ‘one stop shop’ aimed at diverting women from custody in Newcastle and reducing rates of re-offending.
The immediate aim is to break the ‘revolving door’ cycle of short-term custodial sentence and non-compliance with court orders. The overall aim is to enable women to develop life skills and qualifications which lead to employment opportunities and healthy, independent and productive lifestyles.
The specialist needs-led service tackles complex personal and social needs, raises self confidence and self esteem, develops basic personal key skills, introduces meaningful activity, engages in innovative learning and supports sustained improvement.
The project is funded by the Ministry of Justice and is borne out of work undertaken by the GAP Project.
Vulnerable women needing support have often experienced a wide range of complex problems, including difficult childhoods, domestic abuse or a history of care which can impact not only on themselves but also their children.
National statistics of women involved with the criminal justice system give an indication of the issues involved:
- in the last decade women’s prison population has more than doubled
- the number of women on remand increased by 105% between 1995 & 2005
- only 5% of children remain in their own home once their mother has been sentenced to custody.
- only 9% of children are cared for by their fathers whilst their mothers are in prison
- 31% of custodial sentences given to women offenders are for theft and handling
- More than 28% of women in prison have no previous convictions, twice that of men.
- 20% of women in prison have been in care compared with 2% in the general population
- are drug dependent and drink at harmful levels
- 16% self harm in prison (compared with 3% men) and 75% of these cases report previous experiences of rape
- women released from custody are 36 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population (men 8 times)
The innovative, proactive service addresses the multiple and complex needs which often affect the women involved. WoW aims to provide credible, robust alternatives to custody for women where they do not pose a risk of harm.
WoW works closely with Northumbria Probation Service and local Courts to promote compliance with Court Orders, Licence and Bail Conditions.
The immediate aim is to break the ‘revolving door’ cycle of short-term custodial sentence and non-compliance with court orders. The overall aim is to enable women to develop life skills and qualifications which lead to employment opportunities and healthy, independent and productive lifestyles.
The effectiveness of the WoW Project can be demonstrated by the following:
- 66% of the current case load are maintaining a non-offending status, and further 17% have reduced the frequency of offending significantly. These figures are consistent with all quarters throughout the year.
- 81% of clients had a drug or alcohol issue - 100% of these have been supported and access treatment services.
- 77% of WoW! clients have significant issues and needs relating to health (encompassing both phsical and mental well being) - Increased self esteem has been recorded in 67% of WoW! clients on a sustained basis.
- 31% of WoW! clients have been accommodated within Women’s Services accommodation - a further 36% of clients have been accommodated successfully with supported accommodation providers across the city and receive outreach support from WoW!
- A fifth of clients were involved in the Refurbishment and redevelopment of accommodation project and took part in a twelve week training programme.
- 64% of clients have been involved in volunteering, training and have considerably increased their employability.
- The WoW! Project was a finalist for The Howard League Community Awards 2010.
