I DISAGREE with your correspondent who felt the courts should not be deterred from giving a custodial sentence to women who had families or were pregnant (Letters, December 5).

A custodial sentence for a mother punishes her family as well. If there is no partner or willing family older children will be placed in foster care.

A large family may be split between several placements. If a place is available, children under 18 months can stay with their mums, but, in most cases, beyond that age they must live elsewhere.

What women offenders need is support to keep their family together and to live differently in the future. The rapid increase in the female prison population, made up mostly by offences involving drugs and theft, not violence, is outstripping the resources for education and training. Approximately 60 per cent of these women are the primary carers for children under 16. It is possible for people to change but they and their families need support, not condemnation.

During the past three years York Prison Fellowship, a Christian organisation, has been taking part in the national Angel Trees Project, which provides Christmas gifts for prisoners' children. These are sent with a message from the parent, some of whom will not see their children this Christmas. We hope this act of giving helps to maintain the family bonds which are under strain.

To contribute to this work, cheques can be sent to York Prison Fellowship, c/o York Baptist Church, Priory Street, York.

Eleanor King,

Ratcliffe Street,

Burton Stone Lane, York.

Updated: 10:43 Monday, December 17, 2001