... of the report will discuss an overview of the main findings. Task 2 contains a discussion exploring criminological ideas, aimed at understanding the disparity between male and female 'sentencing'. 1.1. 'Leniency' The study began by examining the issue of possible 'leniency' and sentencing differences through the use of comparative sentences for specific offences. There has been much contention surrounding the treatment of women by the criminal justice system. McLaughlin et al (2002, pp 133:2) are of the opinion that women are thought to be less likely than men to be arrested, prosecuted, convicted or imprisoned. Contrary to this, the number of women in prison has been rising steadily since 1993, where it stood at 1,580. Over the last decade, it has dramatically increased by 146%, to 4,463 (Home Office, 2001). In March 2004 there were 4589 women in prison representing about 6% of the prison population in England and Wales (HM Prisons ...

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