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Despite there being a number of commonalities amongst offenders irrespective of gender, such as disadvantaged social backgrounds, limited or no employment skills, and financial difficulties (Hollin & Palmer, 2006; Loucks & Zamble, 1999), there is evidence to suggest that female offenders have additional, and usually multiple, needs (Social Exclusion Task Force, 2009). Women offenders have been found to have more severe substance use histories and psychological impairment, and are more likely to report a history of sexual and physical abuse than women in the general population (Light, Grant & Hopkins, 2013; Messina, Burdon & Prendergast, 2003). The Prison Reform Trust has reported that female offenders are more likely to have experienced childhood abuse, witnessed domestic violence and been taken into care as a child (Prison Reform Trust, 2013).

One particular need which has been identified amongst women offenders is mental health (Hedderman, Palmer & Hollin, 2008). Research from the UK has found higher rates of learning difficulties, personality disorder, substance misuse and self-harm amongst female compared with male inmates (Maden, Swinton & Gunn, 1994). There is also greater prevalence of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and psychosis amongst female, in comparison to male, offenders (Home Office, 2007). Many female offenders experience comorbidities, which can put them at increased risk of self-harm and suicide (Marzano, Fazel, Rivlin & Hawton, 2010). In addition, mental health problems can be a contributory factor in offending behaviours, with female prisoners suffering from …