A centre in West London that works to help female offenders after they've left prison has been given an extra half a million pounds in government funding.
The Minverva Project says the cash will allow them to hire 12 new members of staff, to further reduce re-offending levels.
The programme builds on the work of the Minerva project, part of women’s charity Advance, which works with women who are either leaving custody or serving their sentence in the community.
The new service will reach 950 female offenders across London.
The Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime funding will enhance support services in 10 London boroughs, including specialist care in the areas of domestic and sexual abuse, trauma counselling, employment support, parenting and housing.
The Justice Minister Dr Phillip Lee announced the grant during a visit to the site today.