The first report from the reformed women’s justice board included some welcome proposals. One is that there should be a strong presumption against imprisoning pregnant women. But previous pledges to improve the way that mothers are treated have not been honoured. Earlier this month the Guardian reported scandalous details of women being shackled to guards while giving birth. While the women’s board has been compared to the youth justice body set up by New Labour, its role is advisory and it lacks the commissioning budget which was one of the youth board’s key features.