Ivor Callely
Ceist:115 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the number of mothers of young children currently being held in custody and whether any alternative sentencing policy for women convicted of minor offences is being considered.
Written Answers. - Females In Custody.
There are 44 females in custody at present but prison records do not contain information on the number who have children. Any such information would be collected, on a confidential basis, by the welfare officers attached to the women's prisons.
I understand that the topic of sentencing policy is one of a number of issues in the criminal law area which has been referred to the Law Reform Commission for examination and report as part of their current programme. Any recommendations by the commission in regard to the matter will be considered in the normal way.