Although many official and research reports have suggested that it is unnecessary for even 3 per cent of the prison population to be composed of women offenders, more women are being sent to prison each year. Pat Carlen examines some of the fundamental issues concerning custodial and non-custodial penalties and overviews the current position of women in crime and custody. She reports on existing provision for women in England and Wales, innovative projects in other countries and the impediments - both ideological and political - to reducing the female prison population. Finally she outlines a strategy for the abolition of women's imprisonment.