Advance, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and MOPAC (Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime) aims to divert women and young women way from the criminal justice system and provides dedicated support services tailored to women’s needs.
The number of women in prison is comparatively low and the harm caused in the majority of cases is small, yet the numbers of those with multiple and often complex needs are high and women are often victims of serious crimes themselves.
Facts about women in prison
(18% for men)
(this figure is believed to be higher)
(47% for men)
(27% for men)
Aims of the Diversion service
The Diversion service aims to give the police the option to use a Conditional Caution as an alternative to prosecution.
We can divert women who have committed low-harm offences into support services with the aim of breaking the cycle of offending, and therefore reducing the overall demand on the police and Criminal Justice System.
Once referred on to the Diversion project, a keyworker will provide one-to-one support to women, through trauma informed, gender specific interventions
Women are also offered access to safe, women-specific centres and borough hubs, and groups and workshops
