Mistakes oft repeated

The news that once again Scotland is holding a record number of inmates in its prisons will refocus attention on how to break the vicious circle that lies behind the country's appallingly high recidivism rate.

Though women account for only 5% of the 7497 in prison, the number for whom the door to Scotland's only women's jail, Cornton Vale, revolves again and again should worry us. This is not only because most of these women have not committed serious offences and represent little threat to the public, but also because many of them are also mothers. By coincidence, yesterday also marked the publication of a report from the charity Circle - What Life After Prison? - based on interviews with former inmates.

The hours and days immediately after a woman has been released from prison are vital in determining whether or not she will reoffend. Too often a woman emerges from Cornton Vale with a few pounds in her pocket and a travel pass but no smiling face or helping hand to meet her.

Typically, for want of something more permanent, she will end up in a women's hostel. A drinking session, followed by enough shoplifting or prostitution to fund a fix is the likely train of events, and before she knows it she will be back inside. Indeed, for some of Cornton Vale's regulars, that may be the object of the exercise because life behind its bars is preferable to the chaos of life outside.

In 1998, the government's milestone report on women offenders - A Safer Way - set a target of limiting the inmate population of Cornton Vale to 100 or fewer by the end of 2000. Now it is 375, many of them repeat offenders. The SNP government has plans to divert most female offenders away from prison, something we have heard before. It can only be achieved by investing sufficient resources in support services good enough and community disposals robust enough to convince sentencers.

Meanwhile, women emerging from custody need a better bridge to the outside world. Much good work goes on inside Cornton Vale. This is reflected in the success in tackling the once scandalously high rates of self-harm and suicide. The next priority should be to expand and improve the independent living unit where women prepare for life outside. But even that can achieve little without more support following release.

Very damaged women often step out of the prison straight back into the situations that landed them there. Their needs are frequently complex and the little help on offer is fragmented and spasmodic. The best chance of breaking the vicious circle of recidivism lies in a holistic approach, such as that operated by the 218 project in Glasgow.

This is a difficult issue for politicians, who gather few votes from what some see as pampering prisoners. But a lot of these women are more sinned against than sinners: 60% have suffered abuse and one-quarter have spent time in care. Besides, society as a whole suffers when women are imprisoned because often their children end up in care, become offenders themselves, have their own children taken into care and the cycle is perpetuated.

For women wishing to avoid the stigma of state intervention and desperately short of self-esteem, simply having "someone who cares" is crucial. It is not necessarily a cheap option because even volunteers need to be recruited, supported and trained. Of course, many of these women need long-term professional help as well, in everything from tackling mental illness and drug and alcohol problems to acquiring parenting and vocational skills.

At present, too much of what is on offer is little more than signposting. Circle is right. These women need helping hands, not pointing fingers.