The Commons Select Committee on Justice has launched an inquiry, Women in Prison.
The inquiry will look at a range of issues including that women self-harm in prison more than men, women on average commit less serious crimes and often pose a lower risk to the public, and a significantly higher proportion of women than men report mental or physical problems, drug or alcohol issues, money worries and housing concerns.
The MPs will consider the long-term impact on the children of mothers sent to jail. Women make up 5% of the overall prison population.
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