n when the same crime is committed (Home Office 2000).
             The Chrivalry hypothesis has been shown to hold little substance as when crimes are the same, sentencing does not appear to vary much between the sexes (Kennedy 1992). Those differences that do occur (appendix 1) could be attributed to differences in the nature of offence and previous convictions. However, some writers show that women who are imprisoned tend to have fewer previous convictions than men (Kennedy 1992 p33, Smith Criminology for Social Work p118 and Dominelli) . One can argue that Chivalry only works if female offenders fit the stereotype of what it is to be female. If they do the result can be treatment that "helps them" as they would be seen to clearly need it. For women who do not fit the stereotype one could argue that the "double jeopardy" theory may be more relevant as they are not deserving of help for they are not properly women thereby resulting in more severe sentencing (Carlen 1988 p14
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