Equality and diversity in the work of the Sentencing Council

The Sentencing Council has published findings of research designed to identify and analyse any potential for the Council’s work to cause disparity in sentencing outcomes across demographic groups. 

Researchers from the University of Hertfordshire examined the real and perceived impact of sentencing guidelines on specific groups of offenders, and their final report makes recommendations for how to mitigate these disparities.

In light of the findings and the recommendations proposed in the research, the Sentencing Council have also published a response setting out the steps they will now be taking.

Birth Companions is pleased to have been able to contribute to this research, and welcomes commitments from the Sentencing Council to review issues specific to women, including a focus on pregnancy.  

Report by Qi Chen, Mateja Vuk, Chamu Kuppuswamy, and Diana Kirsch at the University of Hertfordshire.

Report and response published by the Sentencing Council.

Read Birth Companions' full response to the report and response here.