Suicidal, sexually abused, scarred: the plight of women prisoners

Suicidal, sexually abused, scarred: plight of Britain’s 5,000 women prisoners
The Howard League for Penal Reform is calling for a radical new approach to the way women are treated by the criminal justice system.
Source:- The Independent, Wednesday 2 August 2006, page 12
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Overcrowding affects 500,000
Overcrowding in homes affects up to 25 times more families than official statistics suggest, the government has warned.
Source:- The Guardian, Wednesday 2 August 2006, page 15
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Sexual health plans undermined as trusts keep cash
A £300 million programme to tackle England’s epidemic of sexually transmitted infections is in danger of collapse because the money has been siphoned off by NHS trusts to reduce their financial deficits, the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV warned today.
Source:- The Guardian, Wednesday 2 August 2006, page 7
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Children prefer parks to computer games
Children would rather get muddy outdoors with friends than play computer games, a survey by the Children’s Play Council reveals today.
Source:- The Guardian, Wednesday 2 August 2006, page 8
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Cannabis linked to risk of miscarriage
Women who smoke cannabis in the early stages of pregnancy could risk miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, according to a US study.
Source:- The Guardian, Wednesday 2 August 2006, page 10
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Eight more NHS trusts freed from Whitehall
The regulator of foundation hospitals yesterday gave eight more NHS trusts the green light to achieve independence from Whitehall control.
Source:- The Guardian, Wednesday 2 August 2006, page 11
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Escaped prisoner subjected boy to sexual assault
An inmate who absconded from an open prison earlier this year faces years in secure jails after assaulting a young boy while on the run.
Source:- The Guardian, Wednesday 2 August 2006, page 11
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New head of the YMCA interviewed
Angela Sarkis is the sole black woman in charge of a major charity.
Source:- Society Guardian, Wednesday 2 August 2006, page 5
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HIV in the UK
Handbook highlights projects supportign young people with HIV/Aids.
Source:- Society Guardian, Wednesday 2 August 2006, page 5
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Doctors to pay more in pensions overhaul
Healthcare assistants will pay lower pension contributions and nurses, doctors and health managers increased rates under a deal struck between unions and NHS employers.
The plan is designed to plug the gap in pension liabilities but will still enable existing NHS staff to retire at 60 on a full pension.
Source:- The Times, Wednesday 2 August 2006, page 12
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Scottish news

One in 10 children is gambling addict
Almost one in ten Scottish children are problem gamblers, with some as young as 11 skipping school to feed fruit machines, the first extensive study into the problem has revealed.
Source:- The Scotsman, Wednesday 2 August 2006
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Welsh news

Up to a third of Welsh divorce kids lose touch with parents
Up to a third of children from divorced families lose touch with one of their parents according to new research. The research suggests that children are being kept from seeing one of their parents due to disagreements arising when one or both of them find a new partner. Up to 57 per cent of Welsh separated parents go on to find a new partner compared to a UK average of 47 per cent.
Source:- Western Mail, Wednesday 2 August 2006
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‘Viscount’ guilty on benefit claims
A man claiming to be the Viscount of Cawdor has been convicted of fraudulently trying to claim housing benefit. David Philip Morgan applied for housing benefit to pay rent of £75 a week to himself for his property in Llandybie. He claimed he was paying rent to his mother. He said he was entitled to use the title of Viscount of Cawdor but did not produce any evidence to justify this.
Source:- Western Mail, Wednesday 2 August 2006
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