New support centre for women offenders

A NEW service in Hull aimed at cutting re-offending rates among women is being launched on Friday.

The Hull Women's Community Project, a specialist support service in George Street, will offer one-to-one advice to help women tackle issues which can lead them into a life of crime, such as drug abuse, debt and homelessness.

Project chief executive Rokaiya Khan said: "It is widely acknowledged that for most women offenders, prison sentences are ineffective, disproportionate and expensive.

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"It is considerably more effective to support women in their communities to tackle issues which triggered their offending in the first place.

"The Hull Women's Community Project meets all of a woman's needs in one place and gives women the opportunity to turn their lives around. We are delighted to be able to provide this sorely needed service for women offenders in Hull."

The centre said that in 2008/09 only 13 per cent of women found work after being released from prison.

The project will work with Humberside Probation Trust and Humberside Police to ensure that all women offenders across the city are able to access this new service.

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Partner agencies will also deliver courses and specialist support services at the new women's centre so that the widest possible range of support can be provided.

The service is being funded by the Ministry of Justice and is being delivered by the Together Women Project, in partnership with Hull Women's Centre and Preston Road Women's Centre.

The centre, at 120-122 George Street, will be officially opened by city MP Alan Johnson, at 1.15pm. It will work in conjunction with an outreach centre at Preston Road Women's Centre.

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