Evaluation of the Use of The Good Loaf as an Out of Court Disposal Option for women who have offended

The Good Loaf is a community bakery supplying freshly baked products to businesses across Northamptonshire on a wholesale basis, as well as operating three cafes serving the public. It is a social enterprise which provides programmes and opportunities for women wanting to break the cycle of unemployment, offending and poverty. The Good Loaf, the Office for the Police and Crime Commission (OPFCC) and other local partners secured funding from the Ministry of Justice to implement initiatives designed to divert women who are at risk of being drawn into crime, or those who have already committed low-level offences. As part of this funding, an Out of Court Disposal (OOCD) option was devised to divert women from the criminal justice system and to help them address their problem(s) that have contributed to their offending. The aim of this scheme is to prevent negative impacts of the criminal justice system on women, dependent children, their families and the community.