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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
Time: 3:08 am
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Results for female offenders
155 results foundAuthor: Perry, Virginia Title: Evaluation of the Mothering at a Distance Program Summary: The Mothering at a Distance (MAAD) Program is a 10-session parenting program, which has been conducted at a number of New South Wales Department of Corrective Services correctional centers for female inmates. The aims of this study is to assess the development, implementation, effectiveness, and sustainability of the MAAD program. Details: Sydney: New South Wales, Department of Corrective Services, 2009. 100p. Source: http://www.correctiveservices.justice.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Evaluation-of-the-Mothering-at-a-Distance_Program.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: http://www.correctiveservices.justice.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Evaluation-of-the-Mothering-at-a-Distance_Program.pdf Shelf Number: 116651 Keywords: Children of PrisonersCorrectional ProgramsFamilies of InmatesFemale OffendersMothering |
Author: Matheson, Flora I. Title: Women Offender Substance Abuse Programming and Community Reintegration Summary: In response to continued high levels of substance abuse problems among women offenders under federal jurisdiction, the Correctional Service of Canada implemented a newly designed multi-stage programming model for women offenders. This report presents an evaluation of the various forms of the program. Details: Ottawa: Addictions Research Centre, Research Branch, Correctional Service of Canada, 2008. 41p. Source: Year: 2008 Country: Canada URL: Shelf Number: 118156 Keywords: Drug Abuse TreatmentFemale OffendersSubstance Abuse |
Author: Holmes, Jessie Title: Female Offending: Has There Been an Increase? Summary: There is increasing speculation that females are becoming more criminal and more violent. Using police person of interest data, this brief considers trends in offending by females and juvenile females in Austraia over the 10 years to June 2009. Over this period, the number of females proceeded against by police increased by 15 percent, whereas the number of male offenders remained stable. Female offenders were most likely to shoplift, commit non-domestic and domestic violence assault, fraud, and possess/use drugs. Female participation in specific offenses changed over this time, with significantly more females being proceeded against for breaching judicial orders, committing assault, liquor offences and offensive behavior as well as maliciously damaging property. Significantly fewer females were proceeded against for prostitution offenses, robberies and theft. The number of juvenile female offenders increased by more than a third, whereas for juvenile males the increase was less than a tenth. Trends in offending by juvenile females mirrored those of all females, with the exception of shoplifting for which there was a significant rise in the number of juvenile female offenders but remained constant for female offenders in general. Notwithstanding these findings, females as well as juvenile females still continue to commit significantly fewer offenses than their male counterparts. Details: Sydney: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 2010. 10p. Source: Crime and Justice Statistics; Bureau Brief; Issue Paper No. 46 Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 118578 Keywords: Female Crime (Australia)Female Juvenile OffendersFemale Offenders |
Author: Easton, Helen Title: Conditional Cautions: Evaluation of the Women Specific Condition Pilot Summary: In September 2008 a new condition was developed for dealing with low-level, low-risk women offenders as part of the existing conditional caution scheme. The condition is referred to as the women specific condition (WSC) and is a rehabilitative condition requiring the woman offender to attend a Together Women centre for a needs assessment at a pre-arranged time and date. This report presents the findings of the evaluation of the pilot of the WSC over six months in three pilot areas. The aim of the research was to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the WSC. Evidence was collected on the view of stakeholders and women offenders on the WSC and looked at how the WSC was implemented in different pilot areas. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2010. 66p. Source: Internet Resource; Ministry of Justice Research Series 14/10 Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 119345 Keywords: Alternatives to IncarcerationFemale OffendersRehabilitation |
Author: Great Britain. HM Inspectorate of Prisons Title: Women in Prison: A Short Thematic Review Summary: Much has been written about the specific needs and characteristics of the women’s prison population – most notably the Corston report, which strongly advocated the development of alternatives to custody and alternative forms of custody. Currently, over 4,300 women are in prison in England and Wales, almost the same number as there were at the same time last year. This report draws together the findings of the most recent inspection reports on all 14 current women’s prisons in England and Wales, and also compares the findings of women prisoners surveyed during 2006–08 with those surveyed in 2003–05. It therefore provides an overview of the conditions and treatment in women’s prisons, and an account of any significant changes in women’s perceptions of the prison experience. Details: London: HM Inspectorate of Prisons, 2010. 81p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 119400 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersPrisons |
Author: Victoria. Sentencing Advisory Council Title: Gender Differences in Sentencing Outcomes Summary: This report examines the research literature and presents data from Victoria to consider differences in sentencing outcomes for men and women. Data on police recorded offending and prison statistics are also included. The report draws several conclusions that are consistent with other research: 1) Women’s offending tends to be less serious than men’s, with women less likely to be involved in violent offences; 2) Women are less likely to be sentenced to imprisonment and, when they are, they receive shorter terms in prison; 3) Women are more likely to receive a wholly suspended sentence or a community-based order; 4) Women prisoners have less serious criminal histories than do men, with fewer prior convictions and less serious previous and current offending; and 5) Women’s sentences are shorter than men’s as women are more likely to have a group of factors that can reduce sentence length: they are more likely than men to have a history of mental illness, physical or sexual abuse in childhood or adulthood and drug abuse. Details: Melbourne: Victoria Sentencing Advisory Council, 2010. 71p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 119456 Keywords: Female OffendersGenderSentencing (Victoria, Australia) |
Author: Bateman, Tim Title: Review of Provision for Girls in Custody to Reduce Reoffending Summary: Traditionally, discussions of youth crime and responses to young people who offend have tended to ignore girls. This omission reflects in some measure the fact that boys account for the large majority of those who come to the attention of the youth justice system. It is nonetheless regrettable since girls have consistently constituted between a quarter and one fifth of the youth offending population in the UK. A number of recent developments have made this oversight particularly problematic. First, there is a popular (mis)perception that girls’ offending is becoming more prevalent and more serious. At the same time, responses to girls’ delinquent behaviour have become increasingly interventionist leading to a substantial rise in the numbers appearing in court, despite offending having remained stable. The increased visibility of girls in the criminal justice system has no doubt contributed to the view that female offending is increasingly an issue of concern. Finally, and related to these two developments, the use of custody for girls has risen sharply, albeit from a relatively low baseline: while the total number of custodial sentences for juveniles rose between 1992 and 2006 by 56%, those imposed on girls increased by 297%. This report reviews the specific provisions and treatment of girls in custody in England and Wales and explores the nature of offences committed by girls, considers the treatment of girls in the youth justice system in England and Wales and suggests ways in which to develop adequate and gender-responsive programs. Details: Reading, UK: CfBt Education Trust, 2008. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 9, 2010 at: http://www.cfbt.com/evidenceforeducation/pdf/GirlsinCustody_v6(W).pdf Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.cfbt.com/evidenceforeducation/pdf/GirlsinCustody_v6(W).pdf Shelf Number: 114346 Keywords: Female CrimeFemale Juvenile OffendersFemale OffendersGenderJuvenile Detention |
Author: Victoria. Parliament. Drugs and cRime Prevention Committee Title: Inquiry into the Impact of Drug-Related Offending On Female Prisoner Numbers - Interim Report Summary: The Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee and was given the mandate to examine the impact of drug-related offending on female prisoner numbers. Specifically, the committee was asked to (a) examine the impact of drug-related crime on the female prisoner population; (b) review the demographic profiles of women in custody for drug offences and the types of drug offences; (c) examine underlying causal factors which may influence drug-related offending and repeat offending that result in women entering custody; and (d) recommend strategies to reduce drug-related offending and repeat offending by women, including strategies to address underlying causal factors. Whilst the Committee was unable to complete the reference, particularly as further investigation into the recent increase in prison numbers is required, we were concerned about some of the information provided to us both in submissions and during public hearings. This evidence particularly related to the problems women face when in prison, when released from prison and their high rates of recidivism. The information provided to us was almost unanimous – the housing problem in particular being identified as a significant issue for many post-release women. Accordingly, we have made some recommendations for the post November 2010 government to consider and we hope the 57th Parliament of Victoria will make further recommendations on the other issues we have raised. Details: Melbourne: Government Printer for State of Victoria, 2010. 118p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 25, 2010 at: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/dcpc/Women_prisoners/Female_prisoners_inquiry_-_interim_report.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/dcpc/Women_prisoners/Female_prisoners_inquiry_-_interim_report.pdf Shelf Number: 120086 Keywords: Drug Abuse and CrimeFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersHousingRecidivismReentry |
Author: Centre for the Human Rights of Imprisoned People Title: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Women in Victorian Prisons Summary: The number of women imprisoned in Victoria has increased by 25% over the past year, with a disproportionate number of the women imprisoned coming from Calturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds. The number of women born in Vietnam who are imprisoned in Victoria has almost doubled during the period of June 2008 to June 2009. There are currently more than 300 women imprisoned in Victoria, which is the highest number of women imprisoned in the state at any one time since prior to Federation. This dramatic increase is therefore unprecedented and extremely alarming, particularly as it affects women of CALD backgrounds. This project examines the situation of CALD women who are imprisoned in Victoria. To do this, the project follows up the serious issues of discrimination raised in the Request for a Systemic Review of Discrimination against Women in Victorian Prisons, made in 2005 by the Federation of Community Legal Centres FCLC and Victorian Council of Social Services VCOSS to the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria (EOCV). The 2005 Request for Systemic Review raised significant allegations of discrimination affecting the women held in custody in Victoria. Although this discrimination was attributed firstly to the gender of prisoners, the Request also identified specific areas of discrimination on the basis of race and cognitive ability by the State Government of Victoria in its management of the Victorian women’s prisons at Tarrengower and the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre at Deer Park. In relation to women from CALD backgrounds, the 2005 Request for Systemic Review contained significant anecdotal evidence highlighting incidents and practices of direct and indirect discrimination on the basis of race and religion that impacted on the day-to-day life of imprisoned CALD women. The report remains significant as the only detailed investigation and documentation of the treatment of CALD women in the Victorian prison system. Details: Flemington, VIC, AUS: Centre for the Human Rights of Imprisoned People, 2010. 51p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2010 at: http://www.apo.org.au/research/culturally-and-linguistically-diverse-women-victorian-prisons Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.apo.org.au/research/culturally-and-linguistically-diverse-women-victorian-prisons Shelf Number: 120089 Keywords: DiscriminationFemale InmatesFemale OffendersMinority GroupsPrisoners |
Author: Flower, Shawn M. Title: Employment and Female Offenders: An Update of the Empirical Research Summary: Existing research demonstrates a positive link between employment and desistance from criminal behavior for offender populations. Reentering men and women face many challenges, from the stigma of their criminal record to an individual lack of employment history and relevant skills. For individuals successful in their search for employment, job retention can be complicated by everyday circumstances that compete for attention. Although male and female offenders face many of the same issues, women often face a set of circumstances that add additional barriers, particularly if the women are the sole custodial parent for children. This bulletin is a summary of available literature related to employment and women in the criminal justice system. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, 2010. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Gender-Responsive Strategies for Women Offenders: Accessed December 2, 2010 at: http://nicic.gov/Downloads/PDF/Library/024662.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://nicic.gov/Downloads/PDF/Library/024662.pdf Shelf Number: 120344 Keywords: EmploymentFemale Offenders |
Author: Saar, Malika Saada Title: Mothers Behind Bars: A State-by-State Analysis of Federal Policies on Conditions of Confinement for Pregnant and Parenting Women and the Effect on Their Children Summary: There are now more women behind bars than at any other point in U.S. history. Women have borne a disproportionate burden of the war on drugs, resulting in a monumental increase of women who are facing incarceration for the first time, overwhelmingly for non-violent offenses. This rampant incarceration has a devastating impact on families. Most of these women, unseen and largely forgotten, are mothers. Unfortunately, pregnant women, incarcerated women and their children are subject to federal and state correctional policies that fail to recognize their distinct needs or honor their families. The Rebecca Project and the National Women’s Law Center collaborated on this Report Card, which analyzes federal and state policies on prenatal care, shackling, and alternative sentencing programs and grades states on whether their policies help or harm incarcerated women in these key areas. This effort is intended to help advocates assess their own state’s policies affecting these significant phases of pregnancy, labor and delivery, and parenting. The Report Card also provides an analysis of related federal laws and policies regarding conditions of confinement for women in federal prisons and immigration detention facilities. Additionally, it assesses how the federal government funds state programs that serve incarcerated pregnant or parenting women. For reasons discussed below in the federal findings section, the federal government does not receive a grade. Rather, the Report Card identifies areas where the federal government is making commendable gains in the humane treatment of incarcerated women who are pregnant or parenting and provides specific recommendations for areas that need improvement. Details: Washington, DC: National Women's Law Center and the Rebecca Project for Human Rights, 2010. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 2, 2010 at: http://www.rebeccaproject.org/images/stories/files/mothersbehindbarsreport-2010.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.rebeccaproject.org/images/stories/files/mothersbehindbarsreport-2010.pdf Shelf Number: 120361 Keywords: Children of PrisonersFemale InmatesFemale OffendersPregnant Inmates |
Author: Brown, Geneva Title: The Intersectionality of Race, Gender, and Reentry: Challenges for African-American Women Summary: This Issue Brief is divided into three sections. The first identifies the trends of mass incarceration in the African-American community, and discusses reentry policies and the challenges created by such policies. The second elucidates intersectionality through the lives of African-American women offenders and the problems that African-American women offenders have with reentry. The third section concludes with reviewing legislative trends and proposals for gender and race-based treatment considerations for reentry. Details: Washington, DC: American Constitution Society, 2010. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 1, 2011 at: http://www.acslaw.org/files/Brown%20issue%20brief%20-%20Intersectionality.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.acslaw.org/files/Brown%20issue%20brief%20-%20Intersectionality.pdf Shelf Number: 120648 Keywords: African-AmericansFemale OffendersGenderPrisoner ReentryRace/Ethnicity |
Author: All Party Parliamentary Group on Women in the Penal System Title: Women in the Penal System: Second Report on Women with Particular Vulnerabilities in the Criminal Justice System Summary: The report reveals that while many of Baroness Corston’s original recommendations have been implemented, there are a number of outstanding concerns. The first Corston report’s most significant recommendation to shut down women’s prisons and replace them with a limited number of small, multi-functional custodial centres, is yet to be resolved. The APPG is also concerned that there are still too many women in prison for non-violent offences, and too many women being remanded into custody. The previous government committed £15.6m to invest in the provision of additional services for women at risk of offending. The money was aimed at creating centres providing “one-stop-shop” support services and developing bail support to meet the needs of women. These centres have no dedicated funding past March 2011 and the APPG recommends that the progress they have achieved is sustained. Details: London: The Howard League for Penal Reform, 2011. 10p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 3, 2011 at: http://www.howardleague.org/fileadmin/howard_league/user/pdf/Publications/Women_in_the_penal_system.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.howardleague.org/fileadmin/howard_league/user/pdf/Publications/Women_in_the_penal_system.pdf Shelf Number: 120693 Keywords: Female Inmates (U.K.)Female Offenders |
Author: Bartels, Lorana Title: Good Practice in Women's Prisons: A Literature Review Summary: Good prison practices are essential for the wellbeing of prisoners and the wider community. Not only do they provide assistance to one of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups within society, but they also benefit the wider community by providing adequate support and services to a group of people who will ultimately return to the community. The purposes of incarceration not only include retribution, punishment, deterrence and incapacitation, but also rehabilitation. In order for a prison to achieve this, it is essential to have prison practice models that support reintegration, facilitate personal development and reduce recidivism rates. In this paper, the literature concerning examples of good practice in women’s prison systems in Australia is reviewed. Key international developments are also considered, although it is acknowledged that the potential for transfer of such models may at times be limited. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2011. 78p. Source: Internet Resource: AIC Technical and Background Paper 41: Accessed February 15, 2011 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/4/E/5/%7B4E5E4435-E70A-44DB-8449-3154E6BD81EB%7Dtbp041.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/4/E/5/%7B4E5E4435-E70A-44DB-8449-3154E6BD81EB%7Dtbp041.pdf Shelf Number: 120775 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersRehabilitation |
Author: Dunkel, Frieder Title: International Study on Women’s Imprisonment: Current Situation, Demand Analysis and "Best Practice" Summary: Since women in Europe only constitute an average of roughly 4.5% to 5.0% of the total prison population (from 2.9% in Poland to 7.8 % in Spain), women in European prisons experience specific problems and structural disadvantages. Prisons are geared towards male prisoners and therefore excessive security measures are implemented, women‘s educational and work opportunities are (even) more restricted, and the inmate structure reveals that female prisoners show a high incidence of substance abuse, as well as psychological and psychosomatic complaints. In addition to these problems that occur in all the countries surveyed, some countries experience their own unique problems: ranging from the structure of the criminal offence (e.g. drug couriers in Spain) to the historic-political background of the countries that have joined the EU. There is thus an urgent need to evaluate the current situation of female prisoners and their needs. Under the preconditions of a resource-oriented approach, the ‚healthy prison’ concept as well as theories of work- and organisational psychology, the aim is to examine women‘s prisons from a number of different angles in order to promote designs that meet the women’s needs and thus promote tertiary prevention. The analysis of the specific situation and actual conditions of imprisonment of female prisoners allows, firstly, the identification of what constitutes ‚best practice’ and, secondly, – also in terms of gender mainstreaming – the derivation of measures that can be taken to ensure that imprisonment takes place in accordance with the needs of female prisoners. The current lack of knowledge and cross-border transfer of experiences with regard to female prisoners brings a number of difficulties with it. It is thus more difficult to ensure that penal institutions are properly designed and organised and that the prison officers receive adequate specialised vocational training, which in turn negatively affects the prisoners’ rehabilitation. To counter this difficiency, the following project measures will be taken whereby the sanctioning practices of the participating countries will be taken into account: a) Examination of female prisons at the organisational level (structural conditions): regard of human rights, accommodation (number of occupants, proximity to home, mother-child facilities), educational and work situation of the imprisoned women, treatment (opportunities for substance abusers, opportunities and facilities specifically geared towards women, etc.) qualification of staff, etc. b) Differential analysis of the perceived living conditons and conditions of imprisonment in the participating countries as well as - and with special reference to - the specific needs of imprisoned women: assessment of the quality of life and the climate in each institution, needs, and experience of stress. c) Differential analysis of the subjective concepts of the prison staff regarding imprisoned women, the prison system and in particular their vocational role. Details: Greifswald, Germany: University of Greifswald, Department of Criminology, 2005. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 14, 2011 at: http://www.rsf.uni-greifswald.de/fileadmin/mediapool/lehrstuehle/duenkel/Reader_womeninprison.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Europe URL: http://www.rsf.uni-greifswald.de/fileadmin/mediapool/lehrstuehle/duenkel/Reader_womeninprison.pdf Shelf Number: 121338 Keywords: Correctional InstitutionsCorrectional ProgramsFemale Inmates (Europe)Female OffendersFemale PrisonsWomen Prisoners |
Author: Watson, Lanette Title: Process and Outcome Evaluation of the STAR (Sisters Together Achieving Recovery) Program Summary: This report presents a process and outcome evaluation of the STAR (Sisters Together Achieving Recovery) program housed at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women (ICIW) in Mitchellville, Iowa. The STAR Program is a licensed inpatient substance abuse treatment program that utilizes a Therapeutic Community model (TC). All offenders exiting the STAR program between October 1, 2004 and June 30, 2008 were included in the study (n=173). A comparison sample was drawn of offenders exiting the ICIW during the same release time frame with identified but untreated substance abuse needs (n= 173). March 31, 2010 was designated as the cut-off date for the study. This yielded an average post-program follow-up time of 3.1 years. The STAR group was further divided into two groups by time of program exit. Participants exiting the program between October 1, 2004 and June 30, 2006 were designated as STAR 1 (n=78) and those exiting the program between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2008 were designated as STAR 2 (n=95). In order to have comparable tracking time between STAR groups, tracking time for STAR 1 concluded July 31, 2008. This yielded an average post release follow-up time of 2.4 years for both groups. Demographic, Program, Intervention, and Outcome data were examined. Comparisons were made between groups as well as categories of participation. Details: Des Moines, IA: Iowa Department of Human Rights, Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning, Statistical Analysis Center, 2010. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 20, 2011 at: http://www.humanrights.iowa.gov/cjjp/images/pdf/STAR_Evaluation_Report.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.humanrights.iowa.gov/cjjp/images/pdf/STAR_Evaluation_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 121449 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug OffendersDrug TreatmentFemale Inmates (Iowa)Female OffendersRecidivism |
Author: Rigby, Paul Title: Girls and Young Women in the Youth Justice System - Vulnerable or Risky? Summary: This short briefing paper examines the complexities around identification and effective intervention for girls and young women viewed as vulnerable and who may be at risk of future offending. The CJSW Development Centre’s National Development (Champions) Group for vulnerable girls and young women undertook a profiling exercise in an attempt to obtain a better understanding of the needs and vulnerabilities of girls and young women involved in, or on the periphery of, the youth justice system. While limitations of the data collection tool and methodology preclude wide generalisations, the complexities in attempting to identify individuals who may be at future risk of offending based on assessment of present and past needs and vulnerabilities is apparent. Despite the identification of often substantial vulnerabilities and needs in a sample of 12 to 16 year olds, it appears the majority of girls and young women were not involved in serious or persistent offending behaviour. The findings have implications for policy and practice development, which are now focussed on the development of effective and early interventions for all young people considered to be at risk of future offending. Details: Edinburgh: Criminal Justice Social Work Development Centre for Scotland, 2011. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Towards Effective Practice Paper 12: Accessed April 29, 2011 at: http://www.cjsw.ac.uk/cjsw/files/TEP%2012.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.cjsw.ac.uk/cjsw/files/TEP%2012.pdf Shelf Number: 121561 Keywords: Delinquency PreventionFemale Juvenile Offenders (Scotland)Female Offenders |
Author: George, Susan Title: Incarcerated Women, Their Children, and the Nexus with Foster Care Summary: This study illustrates how state administrative data can be used to assess the relationships between the criminal justice and child welfare systems. After matching corrections data on female offenders from Illinois to the state’s child welfare records, we examine the incidence of childhood foster care spells among incarcerated women, the incidence of female prisoners having their own children in foster care, and how time in prison or jail is associated with different foster care outcomes, such as the loss of parental rights. Details: Berkeley, CA: University of California at Berkeley; Chicago: Harris School, University of Chicago, 2007. 146p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 3, 2011 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/234110.pdf Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/234110.pdf Shelf Number: 121590 Keywords: Child Welfare (Illinois)Children of PrisonersFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFoster Care |
Author: Haffejee, Sadiyya Title: Violence and Abuse in the Lives of Women and Girls Incarcerated at Three Gauteng Women's Prisons Summary: When battered women kill their abusive partners there is an obvious relationship between the violence inflicted upon them and their subsequent actions. Whether or not other prior experiences of violence or abuse also play a role in women’s unlawful acts has not, however, been investigated. Further, while a body of research is beginning to emerge in South Africa around violence in men’s prisons (Haysom, 1981; Gear and Ngubeni, 2002; Steinberg, 2004) no corresponding exploration of the situation in women’s prisons has been undertaken. This research brief presents findings from a study conducted in three women’s prisons in Gauteng exploring these two questions. It briefly describes the nature and extent of violence experienced by women and girls in conflict with the law, both prior to as well as during incarceration; and the relationship between such experiences of violence and the commission of unlawful acts. Both sets of questions are important for the prevention of women’s offending, as well as the informed sentencing and management of female offenders. Details: Braamfontein, South Africa: Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, 2006. 4p. Source: Internet Resource: CSVR Gender Programme, Research Brief No. 03: Accessed July 8, 2011 at: http://www.csvr.org.za/wits/papers/paphvg1.pdf Year: 2006 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.csvr.org.za/wits/papers/paphvg1.pdf Shelf Number: 122010 Keywords: Battered WomenFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale Prisoners (South Africa)Violence Against Women |
Author: Waid, Courtney A. Title: An Assessment of Substance Abuse Treatment Programs in Florida's Correctional Institutions for Women Summary: With the “get-tough” stance of the past three decades shaping the landscape of U.S. penal policy, the rate of female incarceration has increased at a rate higher than that for males since the early 1980s (Pollock, 2002). At the turn of the 21st century, 60% of women admitted to prison, compared to 41% of male offenders, were incarcerated for drug-related offenses (Chesney-Lind, 2002; Pollock, 2002). Given this, an understanding of what causes females to relapse and/or recidivate is critical in the development and implementation of appropriate correctional substance abuse treatment. Interest in the efficacy of correctional substance abuse treatment programming has resurfaced after a period of years in which the doctrine of “nothing works” in offender rehabilitation was accepted. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of substance abuse treatment programs operative for female inmates in the state of Florida released between 1995-2001. Consistent with previous research, the analyses produced mixed findings. Specifically, while institutionally-based programming did not reduce recidivism, community based programming was effective three years post-release from programming. Further evaluation (both process and outcome studies) and investment in treatment resources that can address the specific needs of females and provide a continuum of care are provided as recommendations for future research and practice. Details: Tallahassee: Florida State University, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2010. 93p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed August 17, 2011 at: http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd-11152010-001219/ Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd-11152010-001219/ Shelf Number: 122419 Keywords: Drug Abuse TreatmentFemale Inmates (Florida)Female OffendersTreatment Programs |
Author: Morris, Monique W. Title: A Higher Hurdle: Barriers to Employment for Formerly Incarcerated Women Summary: Today there are more than two million incarcerated men, women, and children in the United States, with more than 167,000 men and women incarcerated in California’s 33 adult prisons alone. In 2008, one in every 100 Americans is incarcerated, with higher rates of incarceration for men and women of color, particularly African Americans. As a result of disproportionate arrest rates and punitive responses to drug and property crimes, women comprise the fastest-growing segment of the incarcerated population. In California, two-thirds of incarcerated women are mothers of children under the age of 18, compared to about half of the population of incarcerated men. Nationwide, more than five million men and women are on probation or parole, comprising the majority of the 7.2 million people who are under some form of criminal justice system supervision in the United States. In the second quarter of 2008, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reported 125,097 men and women on parole, a disproportionate number of whom are people of color, and a growing number of whom are women and parents. Research has confirmed that a criminal record presents a barrier to formerly incarcerated men who seek employment because many employers have negative attitudes toward people with a criminal record. Additionally, job seekers with criminal records are challenged by the increasing frequency with which potential employers inquire about the arrest and conviction history of applicants and perform background checks on leading candidates. There is, however, a dearth of research examining the specific challenges that formerly incarcerated women face when seeking employment. Researchers at the Thelton E. Henderson Center for Social Justice (HCSJ) at the UC Berkeley Law School sought to fill this void by examining whether a history of incarceration has an impact on employment opportunities for women. Additionally, researchers examined whether the race and ethnicity of female job applicants impacted employment opportunities. This study is one of the first to combine a matched-pair testing methodology and participatory research strategy to measure potential differential treatment among formerly incarcerated women seeking employment. Researchers in this study worked closely with an Advisory Committee comprised of women who are formerly incarcerated or who work with formerly incarcerated women in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. For this study, researchers conducted 1200 résumé tests; in each test, one résumé included a subtle reference to a period of incarceration and one did not. Résumés were submitted for six racial and ethnic groups, including African American, Latina American, Pacific Islander American (Samoan), Asian American (Vietnamese), and White American. Arabic names that suggest an affiliation with Islam were also included. Additionally, HCSJ researchers conducted focus groups and interviews with forty formerly incarcerated women and developed an annotated bibliography of literature examining employment barriers for women with a criminal record. A Higher Hurdle: Barriers to Employment for Incarcerated Women found that a criminal record has a negative impact on employment opportunities of women. Formerly incarcerated women are significantly less likely than non-formerly incarcerated women to receive a positive response (5.5% vs. 8.0%, respectively) from potential employers and face a number of mental, financial, and physical barriers to seeking and retaining employment. Details: Berkeley, CA: University of California - Berkeley, School of Law, Thelton E. Henderson Center for Social Justice, 2008. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 31, 2011 at: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/A_Higher_Hurdle_December_2008(1).pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/A_Higher_Hurdle_December_2008(1).pdf Shelf Number: 122566 Keywords: Ex-Offenders, EmploymentFemale OffendersMinority GroupsPrisoner Reentry (California) |
Author: Olson, David E. Title: An Examination of Admissions, Exits and End-of-the-Year Populations of Adult Female Inmates in the Illinois Department of Corrections, State Fiscal Years 1989 - 2010 Summary: Through analyses of existing data collected by the Illinois Department of Corrections, and Illinois criminal history record information (CHRI) supplied by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, a team of faculty at Loyola University Chicago examined trends and characteristics of adult female admissions to, exits from, and end of state fiscal year (SFY) prison populations in Illinois between SFY 1989 and SFY 2010. Based on these analyses, the following conclusions were reached: 1) A dramatic increase in admissions to prison, as well as prison exits and end of the year prison populations, of adult females was seen in Illinois between SFY 1989 and 2005, primarily fueled by increased admissions for drug-law violations; 2) The proportion of prison total admissions accounted for by females increased from less than 7 percent in SFY 1989 to a peak of 13.8 percent in SFY 2005, before falling back to 8.6 percent of admissions in SFY 2010. Similarly, the percent of the end of the fiscal year prison population accounted for by females increased from 4.3 percent in SFY 1989 to 6.3 percent in SFY 2005 and 6.1 percent in SFY 2010; 3) From SFY 1989 to 1999, female court admissions for drug delivery/sale increased dramatically and outnumbered admissions for drug possession, before decreasing consistently through SFY 2010; 4) Court admissions of females for drug possession increased consistently between SFY 1989 and 2005, and outnumbered sentences for drug sale/delivery since SFY 2000, but females sentenced to prison for drug possession decreased dramatically since SFY 2005; 5) Throughout the entire period included in the analyses, the majority of females sentenced to prison were convicted of the least serious felony classes of crimes (Class 3 and 4 felonies), peaking in SFY 2005 when roughly three-quarters of all females sentenced to prison in Illinois were convicted of a Class 3 or 4 felony; 6) Between SFY 1998 and 2001, the number and proportion of total female prison admissions accounted for by parole violators increased dramatically, as was the case with male prison admissions. However, between SFY 2001 and 2008, females returned to prison as parole violators decreased both in sheer number and as a proportion of total female admissions to prison; 7) During the time period examined, the age of females sentenced to prison in Illinois has been increasing. Among females sentenced to IDOC in SFY 1989, more than 80 percent were under 36 years old, but by SFY 2010, only 51 percent were under 36. 8) An increasing proportion of women admitted to prison in Illinois had previously been sentenced to prison. Among women sentenced to prison in SFY 1989, less than 30 percent had previously been in prison; by SFY 2010, that proportion had increased to 45 percent; 9) As a result of changes in the types of crimes women have been sentenced to prison for, and a decrease in admissions from Cook County (Chicago) between SFY 2005 and 2010, the proportion of females sentenced to prison in Illinois accounted for by blacks has decreased, from more than 70 percent of all females sentenced to prison during the late 1990s to less than 50 percent among the SFY 2010 female court admissions. On the other hand, the proportion of female prison sentences accounted for by whites increased from roughly 20 percent in the mid- to late-1990s to almost 50 percent in SFY 2010; 10) There were a number of differences evident between the females and males admitted to prison in recent years, including women being slightly older than males, women being more likely to be a parent, women having slightly higher levels of educational achievement, and women being more likely than men to be sentenced and incarcerated in prison for less serious crime types and felony class offenses; 11) Females released from prison in Illinois tended to have lower recidivism rates than males, even after differences in offender characteristics and risk factors were taken into account. After roughly 3 years post-prison, 61 percent of women were rearrested for any new crime (compared to 70 percent among male releases), 15 percent of women were rearrested specifically for a crime of violence (compared to 31 percent of males), and 34 percent of women were returned to prison either as a result of a new prison sentence or violation of parole (compared to 51 percent of males). Details: Chicago: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 2011. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 3, 2011 at: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/public/pdf/ResearchReports/female_inmate_report_062011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.icjia.state.il.us/public/pdf/ResearchReports/female_inmate_report_062011.pdf Shelf Number: 122632 Keywords: Female Inmates (Illinois)Female OffendersFemale Prisoners |
Author: Gehring, Krista S. Title: “What Works” for Female Probationers? An Evaluation of the Moving On Program Summary: Female offenders represent a growing percentage of the criminal justice population in the United States. For example, between 1997 and 2007, the number of women on probation increased from 524,200 to 987,427 (Bureau of Justice Statistics [BJS], 1998; 2008). This represents an 88 percent increase over the span of a decade. During that same time-period, the percentage increase for male probationers was only 21 percent. The increasing numbers of women offenders and the scarcity of programs and services geared toward their needs have prompted criminal justice professionals to consider implementing gender-responsive programs (Bloom, 2000). Historically, failure to provide gender-specific programming for women in the system has been justified by the fact that women accounted for only a small percentage of arrests and committed fewer and less serious crimes than men (Morash, Haarr, & Rucker, 1994; Rafter, 1990). However, with the continued increase of women entering the criminal justice system since the 1970s, this excuse is no longer valid. Since traditionally much focus has been on the overwhelming numbers of males in the criminal and justice system, programs developed to service this population often have failed to develop options to address the gender-specific problems of women offenders (Bloom, 2000). Despite the focus on male offenders, programs have emerged that address the gendered risks and needs of women offenders. Women who enter into the system often have significant program needs such as histories of trauma and abuse, mental health issues, substance abuse, parenting issues, and relationship issues (Covington, 2000; McClellan, Farabee, & Crouch, 1997; Van Voorhis and Hardyman, 2001; Van Voorhis, Salisbury, Wright, and Bauman, 2008). As such, it is important to discover whether programs that address these needs are effective in reducing recidivism. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of research on the effectiveness of these new program models (Bloom, 2000). To help address the gap in this literature, the current study is the first to examine the effectiveness of the gender-responsive, cognitive behavioral, program Moving On. A demonstration of treatment effects for this program would have important implications for the management and treatment of women offenders in the future. Details: Cincinnati, OH: University of Cincinnati, Division of Criminal Justice, 2010(?). 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 29, 2011 at: http://www.uc.edu/womenoffenders/MOVING%20ON.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.uc.edu/womenoffenders/MOVING%20ON.pdf Shelf Number: 122941 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersGender-Specific Treatment Programs |
Author: Deschenes, Elizabeth Piper Title: Recidivism Among Female Prisoners: Secondary Analysis of the 1994 BJS Recidivism Data Set Summary: This study explores the recidivism of female inmates released from state prison through secondary analysis of data collected by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (Langan & Levin 2002). This BJS study examined the recidivism of prisoners from 15 states released in 1994 by collecting 3-year follow-up data as described in the bulletin, Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 1994. The present study examines the 23,562 females in this data set, examining their recidivism patterns and exploring the impact of prior criminal history on post-release recidivism. Secondary analysis of this data set found: • The majority (63%) of the women had no prior prison terms. • Female offenders served less time in prison than the total sample with two-thirds having served less than 12 months (compared to half of the total sample having served more than 12 months) and a median sentence length of 13 months (compared to the total sample median sentence length of 20 months). • Female prisoners were more likely than the total sample to have lower rates of recidivism across all four measures (rearrest, reconviction, resentence to prison and return to prison). • About 60% of the females in the sample were rearrested, while almost 70% of the total sample were rearrested. Forty percent of the females had a new conviction compared to 48% of the total sample. • Correspondingly, about 30% of the females returned to prison (with only 18% the result of a new sentence), compared to 37% of the total sample (with 25% the result of a new sentence). • Judgments about the similarity or difference in rates of female and male offenders do not depend upon the definition or measure of recidivism. • The majority of female offenders convicted and sentenced to prison for violent offenses prior to their release in 1994 do not reoffend with a violent crime. • However, for both the total sample and the female subsample, those serving time for a property offense or a drug offense were much more likely to have a new arrest than those released in all other offense categories. • Female offenders, similar to those in the total sample, are most likely to be rearrested for a property crime. • Female offenders typically do not specialize or concentrate their offending in their offense types over their criminal careers. • However, there is some degree of repetition in related offenses such as property, drugs, and to a lesser extent, public order crimes. • The strongest and most consistent predictors of recidivism of female offenders, whether measured as the proportion with a new arrest, the number of new arrests, or the time to a new arrest, are the number of prior arrests and age at release from prison. • Failure, as measured in time to a new arrest, is higher for female offenders who are incarcerated for drug possession and property offenses and lowest for those incarcerated for a violent offense. Details: Long Beach, CA: California State University Long Beach, Department of Criminal Justice; Fresno, CA: California State University Fresno, Department of Criminology, 2006. 75p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 10, 2012 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/216950.pdf Year: 2006 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/216950.pdf Shelf Number: 123554 Keywords: Correctional RehabilitationFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersRecidivism |
Author: Dandan, Doria Nour Title: Sex, drug courts, and recidivism Summary: Research studies have identified gender differences in the drug abusing patterns and treatment needs of men and women. Even so, studies on the drug court model have not assessed drug court effectiveness across sex. Using secondary data collected from the Ada County Drug Court, the recidivism rates of drug court participants (n=259) and probationers (n=235) were analyzed. Drug court participants were found to be less likely to recidivate compared to probationers, which supports previous research on drug court effectiveness. Regression analyses failed to find an interaction between group membership and sex, thereby indicating that the effect of the drug court did not differ across sex. These findings suggest that, despite differences in drug abuse patterns, the treatment needs of both men and women were being addressed in the drug court. Details: Las Vegas, NV: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2010. 46p. Source: Thesis. Internet accessed on January 15, 2012 at Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 123623 Keywords: Drug Courts (Idaho)Drug OffendersDrug TreatmentFemale OffendersMale OffendersRecidivism |
Author: Office of the Sentencing Council Title: Drug 'mules': twelve case studies Summary: This document describes the key features emerging from case study interviews undertaken by the Office of the Sentencing Council with a small number of women imprisoned for unlawful importation of drugs: many acting as drug ‘mules’. This work focused on women in response to documented concerns over the circumstances that may lead to the offending, the roles they tend to play in these types of offences and the impact of imprisonment on women and their families, particularly those with caring responsibilities. These issues have been raised specifically in relation to foreign national prisoners, with stories of women living in poverty who either need the money generated through carrying drugs, or are coerced into it, and for whom imprisonment may be particularly difficult, given their location in a different country and language and cultural differences. The aim of the interviews with the women involved in this exercise was therefore to discuss the background and circumstances leading up to their offence, their reactions to the sentence they received and the impact this has had on their lives and that of their families: essentially we wanted the women to ‘tell their story’ (seeAppendix A for these accounts) - to provide a greater insight and understanding into some of the potential reasons for involvement in these offences and to highlight the type of roles they may play. The information generated through this work has helped inform the Sentencing Council’s development of a draft sideline on sentencing drug offences and has complemented a larger research study recently undertaken, examining public attitudes to the sentencing of drug offences more generally. Details: United Kingdom: Office of the Sentencing Council, 2011. 23p. Source: Analysis and Research Bulletin. Internet Resource: Accessed on January 23, 2012 at http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/docs/Drug_mules_bulletin.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/docs/Drug_mules_bulletin.pdf Shelf Number: 123758 Keywords: Case StudiesDrug Trafficking (U.K.)Female OffendersImprisonment |
Author: La Vigne, Nancy G. Title: Women on the Outside: Understanding the Experiences of Female Prisoners Returning to Houston, Texas Summary: This research report explores the unique experiences of women exiting prison, focusing on a representative sample of 142 women who were released from Texas prisons and state jails in 2005 and returned to Houston communities. It describes the challenges women face in obtaining housing, reuniting with family, and avoiding drug use and criminal behavior after their return to the community. Recommendations for improvements in policies and practices specific to increasing the successful reintegration of women are also presented. Details: Washington, DC: Justice Policy Institute, Urban Institute, 2009. 17p. Source: Research Report: Internet Resource: Accessed on January 27, 2012 at Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 123795 Keywords: Female OffendersInmatesPrisoner Reentry (Texas)Reintegration, Offenders |
Author: Beyer, Marty Title: Review of Services for Alabama Girls Charged with Delinquency Summary: Alabama has made excellent progress in reaching a primary goal of the 2008 Juvenile Justice Act (Act) — to promote community-based alternatives to costly institutional settings while holding youth accountable for their actions. Alabama now is poised to make significant progress on another of the Act’s critical goals -- to promote a continuum of services for children and their families, from prevention to aftercare. Dr. Marty Beyer and Mr. Paul DeMuro, two nationally recognized juvenile justice experts, conclude in the following report that Alabama can take a giant step towards this goal by developing a trauma-informed system of care for girls charged with delinquency. After an extensive study of the Alabama’s present service delivery system for delinquent girls, Beyer and DeMuro observe the following: 1. The two Department of Youth Services (DYS) facilities which serve girls are Chalkville (Birmingham) and Working on Womanhood (WOW) (Tuscaloosa). Both facilities are highly restrictive settings with very low censuses. In November 2011, there were 23 girls held at Chalkville and four girls at WOW. Chalkville is an old, large, traditional training school with many physical plant problems making it very costly to maintain. 2. The girls at these facilities are low-risk and have high needs. They have often seen and been victims of violence and, in many cases, have suffered the loss of close family members. Most have been sexually and/or physically abused. They have difficulty trusting adults and forming relationships. Despite this, there is a general lack of understanding of the impact of trauma on girls and about interventions that are effective in working with traumatized youth. Too often symptoms from trauma are misinterpreted as part of the character of a girl, rather than a guide to what was behind behavior that could have changed. As an experienced Alabama probation administrator told the experts, the girls locked up in Alabama’s state facilities are more often victimized and abused by family members than they are perpetrators of serious crimes. 3. There is no system of care. Services to girls are hit-or-miss rather than systematic. DYS’s statutory authority is limited and in some cases no other state agency is mandated to step in for a girl, particularly when her time with DYS is complete. Gains made in DYS custody are often lost. There are marked differences in the availability of services based on geography; rural areas, not surprisingly, having the fewest options for girls. Services that could benefit a particular girl are often not available because the girl does not meet narrow eligibility criteria. Providers consistently told the experts that there are not enough community-based services to ensure that girls’ needs are met in the community in a way that ensures public safety. Details: Montgomery, AL: Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program, Center for Public Presentation, Southern Poverty Law Center, 2012. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 10, 2012 at http://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/downloads/publication/ChalkvilleReport.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/downloads/publication/ChalkvilleReport.pdf Shelf Number: 124436 Keywords: Female OffendersFemale Offenders, Services for (Alabama)Juvenile Delinquency (Alabama)Juvenile Offenders (Alabama) |
Author: Lindquist, Christine H. Title: Prisoner Reentry Experiences of Adult Females: Characteristics, Service Receipt, and Outcomes of Participants in the SVORI Multi-Site Evaluation Summary: The Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI) funded agencies in 2003 to develop programs to improve criminal justice, employment, education, health, and housing outcomes for released prisoners. Sixty-nine agencies received federal funds to develop 89 programs. The SVORI Multi-site Evaluation was funded by the National Institute of Justice to examine the extent to which the SVORI (1) improved access to appropriate, comprehensive, integrated services; (2) improved employment, health, and personal functioning; and (3) reduced criminal recidivism. Sixteen programs—12 adult and 4 juvenile—were included in an impact evaluation to determine the effectiveness of the programming provided under SVORI. This report presents findings from the pre-release and postrelease interviews conducted with women in 11 impact sites. The sample includes 153 females enrolled in SVORI programs and 204 comparison females who did not receive SVORI programming. The respondent profile revealed a high-risk, high-need study group. The women reported many physical and mental health problems, with half reporting receiving treatment for mental health problems before the current period of incarceration. Whereas more than half of the women reported working during the six months before prison, nearly as many reported receiving income from illegal activities. The women reported an average of 11 arrests, with the first occurring at 19 years of age, and nearly all reported at least one previous incarceration. The women reported very high levels of current service need; among the most commonly reported were education, public health insurance, financial assistance, employment, and mentoring. The focus of the evaluation was to assess whether SVORI respondents received more services than non-SVORI respondents and to examine differences between the groups on a variety of post-release outcomes. Propensity score weights were developed, tested, and applied to improve the comparability of the SVORI and non-SVORI groups. Weighted analyses were used to examine the treatment effect of SVORI. In terms of service receipt, SVORI and non-SVORI respondents reported the highest levels of service receipt during confinement. Whereas both groups reported low levels of postrelease service receipt, SVORI respondents generally reported higher levels of service receipt than non-SVORI respondents. However, the levels of post-release service receipt reported by both groups were considerably lower than their reported levels of service need. SVORI programming appeared to have a positive impact on both employment outcomes and abstinence from drug use. The findings for criminal behavior were mixed; the women enrolled in SVORI had positive outcomes for self-reported criminal behavior and official measures for rearrest but had negative outcomes for self-reported compliance with conditions of supervision and official measures of reincarceration. SVORI programming did not appear to affect core housing outcomes, familial or peer relationships, or physical or mental health outcomes. Study findings clearly demonstrate that female prisoners returning to society are a population with high needs. While the SVORI programs were successful in increasing services provided to female participants, the levels of services that female SVORI participants received failed to match their high levels of need. However, the findings support the notion that enhanced access to a variety of reentry services results in modest improvements among several key reentry domains for women. The current evaluation’s detailed documentation of service areas for which women reported high needs can be used for effective planning and service delivery. Because of the variety of challenges that returning women prisoners face, particularly with respect to mental and physical health problems, extensive family responsibilities, and lack of employment experience (compared with reentering male prisoners), effective coordination of services is necessary. Details: Report tao the U.S. National Institute of Justice, 2009. 180p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 11, 2012 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/230420.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/230420.pdf Shelf Number: 124936 Keywords: Female OffendersPrisoner Reentry, FemalesPrisoner Rehabilitation |
Author: Greiner, Leigh Title: A Descriptive Profile of Older Women Offenders Summary: Aging prisoners represent a special population that require addressing specific needs, particularly elements concerning adjustment, rehabilitation, programming, and parole (Aday, 1994). Most of the existing literature examining the needs of the aging prison population originates in the United States, and typically limits its sample to male offenders. Consequently, there is a need to examine the different characteristics and needs of older women offenders in Canada, in both a correctional and community setting. The purpose of this study was to: 1) to provide a comprehensive profile of older women offenders; 2) to compare the assessed levels of risk and need of older women and younger women offenders; and 3) to assess the relevance/use of a typology to classify older women offenders. For the current study, the age criterion for older women offenders was 50 years or older. CSC’s Offender Management System (OMS) was used to retrieve data on the study group (older women) and the comparison group (younger women). Both groups were composed of 160 women, of which 54 were in custody and 106 were under community supervision. Results suggest that, older women were rated as having lower overall needs, lower overall risk, and a higher reintegration potential when compared to women offenders under the age of 50. Compared to younger women, older women were found to have lower needs in the domains of employment, associates, substance abuse, and attitude. Looking at institutional misconduct, results suggest that older women are less likely to be victims or perpetrators of minor or major institutional incidents than their younger counterparts. With regard to programming, it was found that older women were significantly less likely to enrol in, or complete educational programs. They were also less likely than younger women to enrol in substance abuse programs, or psychology programs. However, they were significantly more likely to enrol in and complete ‘other’ programs (e.g., chaplaincy, personal development) than their younger counterparts. In order to examine a potential typology for older women offenders, criminal histories were examined. It was found that the majority of older women (80%) were serving time for their first federal sentence. Additionally, 50% of the older women offenders were serving a sentence for homicide. Ultimately, in attempts to delineate older women into a typology based on older male offenders, results revealed that older women did not fit flawlessly into the male typology. A more appropriate typology, specific to older women offenders may therefore exist. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2010. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report: 2010 No R-229: Accessed April 16, 2012 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/rsrch/reports/r229/r229-eng.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/rsrch/reports/r229/r229-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 124984 Keywords: Elderly Prisoners (Canada)Female InmatesFemale OffendersFemale Prisoners |
Author: Barrett, Meredith Robeson Title: Twenty years later: Revisiting the Task Force on Federally Sentenced Women Summary: In 1989 a Task Force was established to review the Correctional Service of Canada’s approach to the management of women offenders in federal correctional facilities. As part of this, research was initiated to survey federal women offenders in order to examine their lives, needs and experiences before, during and after incarceration (Shaw, 1991). The results of this survey contributed significantly to Creating Choices, the groundbreaking report put forth by the Task Force, which suggested a number of recommendations that ultimately resulted in changes to the existing management practices concerning women offenders. It has been 20 years since this report launched CSC into reforming its approach to women’s corrections; given the passage of time and the noted improvements that have been made since, an update to the original 1989 survey was identified as a research priority. Accordingly, an updated version of the original survey was developed and distributed to all women’s correctional facilities. All women serving time in a federal women’s institution between October 2007 and January 2008 were invited to participate. Of the 520 women who were available to participate, 178 responded to the survey, representing 34% of the population of women incarcerated in Canada’s federal correctional system. Similar to the survey conducted in 1989, results provide a profile of the lives, experiences, and needs of federally incarcerated women. More specifically, results from the survey include information on physical and mental health, substance use, victimization, self harm, children and family, education and employment, recreation and exercise, relationships with staff and other women inmates, programming, and release. Additionally, results highlighted areas of women’s corrections that have improved, as well as areas that may still benefit from further development. Results were largely positive and revealed an overall improvement with regard to the management of federal women offenders since the original survey. Among other improvements, women reported positive offender-staff interactions, and an increase in the services and programs available to women was noted. Some results revealed areas were development could still be made, with women reporting a desire for increased access to health care services, more frequently run programs and additional contact with community supports and contacts to assist with the reintegration process. Overall, this study was successful in achieving its goal of providing an updated profile of the needs of federal women offenders in Canada. Additionally, it highlighted consistencies and differences between the original and current samples, as well as areas of women’s corrections that have been improved since the original survey and those areas that may benefit from future development. Future research may consider replicating the survey on specific offender sub-populations (e.g., Aboriginal, older women, women in the community). Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2010. 144p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report 2010 N° R-222; Accesssed April 16, 2012 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/rsrch/reports/r222/r222-eng.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/rsrch/reports/r222/r222-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 124986 Keywords: Female Inmates (Canada)Female OffendersFemale Prisoners |
Author: Swayze, Dana Title: Girls in Minnesota Correctional Facilities: Responses to the 2010 Minnesota Student Survey Summary: The Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) is a 127-item questionnaire administered every three years to 6th, 9th and 12th graders in Minnesota public schools. The survey includes a wide variety of questions related to youth attitudes, behaviors and health indicators. Ques - tions reflect a range of protective factors including connectedness to school, family and community, as well as risk factors such as drug and alcohol use, violence and victimization. The survey originated in 1989 with the most recent administration occurring in 2010. In 2010, 88 percent of school districts participated. In total, 71 percent of 6th, 9th and 12th graders (roughly 131,000 students) completed the 2010 MSS. Twenty-four residential juvenile correctional facilities with onsite education programs also participated in the 2010 MSS. This purpose of this report is to explore the unique experiences and responses of girls in Minnesota’s juvenile correctional facilities (n=103) as compared to boys (n=481). Understanding protective factors and risk factors related to delinquency that are influenced by gender can assist juvenile justice serving entities in providing services and interventions to the unique needs of females. This report seeks to illuminate statistically significant differences in responses between girls and boys in correctional facilities; to explore how these data are relevant to research on juvenile justice risk factors by gender; and to provide research-based recommendations for serving the specific needs of juvenile female offenders. Girls and boys in juvenile correctional facilities who participated in the 2010 MSS often had statistically significant differences in responses when self-reporting experiences and behaviors. The responses of girls generally support a wide body of research which posits that girls in the juvenile justice system have unique risk and protective factors or have a unique sensitivity to their effects. The following sections are selected content and findings from the report. Details: St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs, Statistical Analysis Center, 2012. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 2, 2012 at: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/forms-documents/Documents/!2010%20Girls%20v%20Boys%20Corrections%20Report.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/forms-documents/Documents/!2010%20Girls%20v%20Boys%20Corrections%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 125128 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersJuvenile CorrectionsJuvenile InmatesJuvenile Offenders (Minnesota) |
Author: Gehring, Krista S. Title: Are Needs Related to Pretrial Outcomes? An Examination of the Hamilton County Inventory of Need Pretrial Screening Tool Summary: In recent years, there have been ever increasing numbers of individuals entering into the criminal justice system. Because of this, criminal justice professionals and researchers have become progressively more concerned about the phenomenon of individuals continually cycling through the system. Pretrial service agencies are afforded a unique opportunity to address this issue at the “gateway” of the criminal justice system. It is possible that identifying and addressing pretrial needs could interrupt this cycle and contribute to pretrial success. Furthermore, attention to gender-responsive needs at this stage of the criminal justice process may prove beneficial for female pretrial defendants. While evidence-based practices in the pretrial field have begun to emerge, there has been little inquiry into pretrial needs and their subsequent influence on pretrial outcomes. This dissertation contributes to both the pretrial and gender-responsive literature by investigating the existence of gender differences of pretrial needs and whether these needs are predictive of pretrial outcomes. Examination of domains included in the Hamilton County Inventory of Need Pretrial Screening Tool afforded an opportunity to identify and examine the needs of 266 pretrial defendants from Hamilton County, Ohio. Results indicate there are gender differences in the substance, prevalence, co-occurrence of the needs of pretrial defendants; many of the examined needs are risk factors for pretrial failure; and gender-responsive pretrial risk factors are important in predicting pretrial outcomes. In all, this study demonstrates the importance of examining pretrial needs and their potential contribution to pretrial failure. Details: Cincinnati, OH: University of Cincinnati, 2011. 303p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 26, 2012 at: http://etd.ohiolink.edu/view.cgi?acc_num=ucin1321641724 Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://etd.ohiolink.edu/view.cgi?acc_num=ucin1321641724 Shelf Number: 125398 Keywords: Female OffendersPretrial DefendantsPretrial Release (Ohio) |
Author: Hutton, Linda Title: Circle's Families Affected by Imprisonment Project: Throughcare for Female Offenders Summary: SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS The profile of those 59 clients who have worked with Circle during the first 3 years of the Families Affected by Imprisonment (‘FABI’) project confirms that these women have multiple needs and complex histories. Their profile is as follows: Aged between 17 and 46 at first contact; Have between 1 and 7 children, predominantly cared for by grandparents; Almost one-quarter (24%) self-refer to the service; Most have multiple needs: 62% have drug misuse issues; 27% alcohol misuse issues; 54% mental health issues; and over half have experienced physical abuse; The approximate age at which offending careers had begun ranged from 10 to 39 years, with the highest proportions having their first offence recorded at age 15 or less (38%) or 16 to 21 years (33%); Offending ‘careers’ prior to contact with Circle ranged from 2 to 26 years, with 57% having offending careers of ten years or more; The highest proportion (43%) are serving their first custodial sentence, with the remainder serving between their 2nd and 7th custodial sentences; First custodial sentences had been received between the ages of 17 and 44, with 32% receiving their first custodial sentence at age 31 or older; Those who had received prior custodial sentences had received total terms of between 1 and 41 months over all such sentences; For the sentence being served at the time of first contact with Circle, clients had received sentences of between 2 and 48 months; The most common offending profile is one of violent offences (34%), followed by crimes of dishonesty (22%); One-third of clients (34%) received no visitors while in custody; over half (56%) received no visits from their children. In spite of this profile, outcomes for those working with the FABI project are incredibly positive, with 79% of those released from custody having received no further custodial sentences. To summarise: Of the 52 clients released from custody, 79% have received no further custodial sentences; Effective engagement was achieved with 85% of clients after their release from custody; Of the 33 clients with custodial sentences prior to that which brought them into contact with Circle, 58% received no further custodial sentences; Of the 25 clients with no prior custodial sentences, only 1 received a further custodial sentence; ii With regard to further custodial sentences, a decrease in longer sentences (over 12 months) and an increase in shorter sentences (12 months or less) was evident in comparing pre- and post-service figures; A decrease between pre- and post-service figures with regard to number of custodial sentences was also evident; Those who engaged with Circle appeared much more likely to receive no further custodial sentences (81%) than those who did not engage (56%). Those who self-referred to the service were marginally less likely to receive further custodial sentences (8%) than those who did not (27%). With regard to client interviews, findings from these support the positive outcomes shown in the quantitative data. For example: All 42 clients interviewed would recommend Circle to others; Clients reported having been supported to make positive changes with regard to drug and alcohol misuse; Clients were also supported to resolve issues related to housing and debt; The ability of the Circle workers to help maintain and improve family relationships was highly valued by clients, as was the provision of practical support; The provision of emotional and practical support during the transition from custody to community was important to clients; Clients identified that the ability of Circle to be both gatekeeper and advocate in relation to other services was that which sets Circle apart from other agencies; In relation to their children, clients often felt deprived of information in their regard and treated with little respect by statutory services; The provision of timely and accurate information to clients was considered important, and the of Circle workers in facilitating this was greatly appreciated. Details: Glasgow: The Robertson Trust, 2011. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 11, 2012 at: http://www.therobertsontrust.org.uk/ Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.therobertsontrust.org.uk/ Shelf Number: 125539 Keywords: Children of PrisonersFamilies of InmatesFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale Prisoners (Scotland) |
Author: Hedderman, Carol Title: Empty Cells or Empty Words? Government Policy on Reducing the Number of Women Going to Prison Summary: The current Conservative/Liberal Democrat government (U.K.) generally prides itself on the differences between its social policies and those of its Labour predecessor. However, one area of agreement seems to be a shared desire to see the number of women in prison fall. This is because much of the increase which has occurred over the last two decades appears to be the unintended consequence of other policies rather than a response to changes in the volume or seriousness of women’s offending. As prison is the most severe and the most expensive disposal a court can use, the only way such an increase could be justified is on the grounds of increased public protection. However, rising reconviction rates following short prison sentences suggest that this has not been the result. It is hard to see a drawback to using custody less for women. Unfortunately, while the current government has offered some, albeit reduced, support for the community-based services for women funded by its Labour predecessor, the Coalition seem to be operating on the assumption that offering sentencers better community alternatives will be sufficient to reduce their recourse to custody. This shows scant regard for the history of introducing new community alternatives for women or men. It also ignores evidence about the way sentencers think about the decision to use custody. In these circumstances, the prospects for making significant and lasting inroads into the use of prison for women remain bleak. This report begins by considering how the female prison population has increased, why this has happened and what the consequences have been. This is followed by a review of the way the Labour government sought to reduce the number of women going to prison and the very limited impact its policies had in practice. The report concludes by considering what the current government has achieved during its first two years in office; and what changes might be needed if the number of women entering prison is really to fall. Details: London: Criminal Justice Alliance, 2012. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 20, 2012 at: http://www.criminaljusticealliance.org/docs/CJA_WomenPrisonReportFINAL.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.criminaljusticealliance.org/docs/CJA_WomenPrisonReportFINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 125699 Keywords: Female Inmates (U.K.)Female OffendersFemale Prisoners |
Author: Burman, Michele Title: Time for Change: An Evaluation of an Intensive Support Service for Young Women at High Risk of Secure Care or Custody Summary: The Time for Change Young Women’s Project (TfC) provides dedicated and gender-specific services for vulnerable girls and young women aged 15 to 17 years at referral (18 only if exceptionally vulnerable on account of care listing) who are at high risk of secure care or custody, and for whom other mainstream options have proved unsuitable. TfC was set up to include those who were chaotic and extremely vulnerable in transition from secure accommodation and prison and in response to concerns regarding the very limited service provision for girls and young women who either offend or are at risk of offending in Scotland, and against a backdrop of an increasing female prison population (McIvor and Burman 2011). Scottish Government turned down the initial bid but changed their view after the SOPHIE report on Secure Accommodation and the number of 15-17 year olds in prison. In reality, by the time TfC started there were no 15 year olds and most girls were 17 years of age. A key change to Scottish youth justice policy and practice which also serves as important background context for TfC has been the implementation of the ‘whole system approach’ to dealing with under 18 year olds who offend. This is founded on the principles of early intervention and is designed to seek opportunities to engage young people more productively in education, skills and positive activity, by putting in place a more streamlined and consistent response that works across all systems and agencies to achieve better outcomes (Scottish Government 2011). The principles of early, and effective intervention that is timely, supportive and appropriate, and the linking of risk taking behaviour to the expression of unmet need, together with the aim of the prevention of custody and secure accommodation, were encapsulated in the development of TfC. The key aims of TfC are to: provide dedicated intensive, relationship-based, support of young women and girls in order to minimise the escalation their offending and /or involvement with the youth and adult criminal justice systems; to assist them resolve current or past conflicts or trauma, familial difficulties and emotional issues associated with their offending behaviours, and to: enhance their positive social relationships, interests and access to suitable education, in line with research findings on resilience and desistance and with an asset-focused, strengths-based approaches to practice. The TfC service is delivered on an outreach basis and includes elements of practical support, partnership, one to one focused work and an on-call help-line. TfC also has access to facilities for residential placements, through the Up-2-Us parent organisation resource team which provides respite to vulnerable young people in times of crisis. TfC key workers respond to all calls for service provision, with managerial support, via a duty on-call system. TfC also offers consultation and advice to other agencies. The evaluation of TfC was conducted by researchers from the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR) between 2009 and 2011. The evaluation utilised a mixed method approach, and included data from semi-structured interviews with: TfC key workers and manager, criminal justice social workers, children’s and families social workers, and other stakeholders, and with young women service users. It also included analysis of case file information and the TfC data-base which records information on referral source, reasons for referral, key presenting issues (e.g. health, addiction), familial circumstances, legal status, history of anti-social or offending behaviour, and current accommodation, as well as any history of statutory involvement. The evaluation sought the views and experiences of TfC staff, stakeholders and service users, in order to: · gain understanding of the complexities of the client group, both in regard to levels of need and risk, and the practice challenges encountered by TfC; · obtain feedback from service users and stakeholders on key elements of the TfC service and its collaboration with other agencies, including the model of service delivery and principal practice approaches; · examine the impact of TfC on the young women using the service, and; · ascertain how the work of TfC and its model of service delivery could be improved. Details: Glasgow: Scottish Centre for Crime & Justice Research, 2012. 93p. Source: Internet Resource: Reprot No. 02/2012: Accessed September 18, 2012 at: http://www.sccjr.ac.uk/documents/FINAL%20Time%20for%20Change%20Report%2003%2004%202012%20kh.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.sccjr.ac.uk/documents/FINAL%20Time%20for%20Change%20Report%2003%2004%202012%20kh.pdf Shelf Number: 126367 Keywords: At-Risk Youth (Scotland)Delinquency PreventionFemale OffendersJuvenile Justice PolicyRehabilitationSocial ServicesYoung Adult Offenders |
Author: Stathopoulos, Mary Title: Addressing Women's Victimisation Histories in Custodial Settings Summary: In the last 20 years the numbers of women entering Australian prisons have risen dramatically. Many of these women have a history of sexual assault traumatisation from child sexual abuse as well as physical and sexual abuse they have encountered as adults. The prison system can often exacerbate trauma for female criminal offenders with a trauma history. This paper explores the prison as a possible site of re-traumatisation. The reasoning behind this is that prisons are built on an ethos of power, surveillance and control, yet trauma sufferers require safety in order to begin healing. A trauma-informed approach may offer an alternative to delivering a less traumatic prison environment and experience for female criminal offenders with a history of sexual abuse and assault. Key messages - Women enter prison with less serious criminal careers than men. - Women in prison have high rates of sexual abuse victimisation histories. - Women enter prison extremely disadvantaged, particularly in relation to mental health, re-victimisation, socio-economic status, substance abuse, being primary carers for dependent children and educational attainment. Many of these outcomes are the consequences associated with past histories of abuse/assault. - Penal environments are designed and built with an ethos of power and control and are often re-traumatising for female offenders with a sexual abuse victimisation history. - The key principles of trauma and gender may be utilised to create frameworks that can be applied in penal environments to address women's complex needs arising from a history of sexual victimisation. - Further research is required to test how the implementation of the key frameworks of trauma-informed care and practice, and gender-responsive frameworks would occur. Details: Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2012. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: ACSSA Issues, No. 13: Accessed January 29, 2013 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i13/i13.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/issue/i13/i13.pdf Shelf Number: 127414 Keywords: Female Inmates (Australia)Female OffendersFemale Victims of CrimePrisonsSexual Assault |
Author: Scroggins, Jennifer Rhiannon Title: Gender, Social Ties, And Reentry Experiences Summary: A great deal of research has been conducted on factors associated with successful prisoner reentry. However, except for a few studies on women's reentry, most studies have failed to examine the role of parolees' social ties in contributing to reentry outcomes. Additionally, most studies on prisoner reentry only focused on male parolees, and few addressed the influence of gender on reentry experiences. Thus, my goal in this dissertation is to understand the influence of gender on male and female parolees' social ties, and how the resources their ties provide shape their reentry experiences. My dissertation research examines men and women’s strong- and weak-tie relationships and the resources available to them via their relationships to understand how these resources shape their reentry experiences. Study data, which were collected from indepth interviews with fifty men and women under parole supervision, showed that they underwent many changes in their strong- and weak-tie relationships during and after incarceration. Shifts toward closer and more positive relationships with families and the addition of pro-social weak-tie relationships resulted in more tangible and intangible resources that were considered by the men and women as important to their reentry success. Data analysis showed that the relationship patterns experienced by the men and women in the present study were largely consistent with gendered relationship patterns described in the literature, but that patterns of resource availability from their social ties were less consistent with those described in the literature. Findings from the study suggest the influence of gender on men and women's social ties, as reflected in different patterns of strong-tie relationships experienced prior to, during, and after incarceration, and also reveal some similarities between men and women with regard to increases in the number of weak-tie relationships with various pro-social individuals after incarceration. By showing the significant role of social ties, especially strong-ties, in providing tangible and intangible resources to parolees upon their release from prison, this study provides support for social control theory and highlights the importance of helping ex-offenders develop and maintain positive social ties with pro-social individuals to enhance the availability of resources necessary for successful reentry. Details: Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee, 2012. 273p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed February 26, 2013 at: http://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2645&context=utk_graddiss Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2645&context=utk_graddiss Shelf Number: 127725 Keywords: Family TiesFemale OffendersGenderPrisoner Reentry (U.S.)Social Capital |
Author: Saxena, Preeta Title: Estimating the Effect of Sexism on Perceptions of Property, White-Collar, and Violent Crimes Summary: Prior research on the role of gender in perceptions of crime and sentencing has focused primarily on judicial outcomes (i.e., empirical differences in male/female sentencing), and some theorists have proposed the chivalry thesis to explain differential outcomes for male and female offenders. Although a prominent theory, the empirical validity of the chivalry thesis has been under scrutiny for decades. In light of this, I argue that gender differences in sentencing can be understood through examination of sexist attitudes and beliefs, and how these sexist attitudes and beliefs interact with characteristics of the offense and the offender to influence perceptions of crime and appropriate sentencing. To test this assertion, 671 respondents were assessed according to their sexist attitudes along both the benevolent and hostile dimensions of sexism, as well as to their perceptions of a series of violent, white collar, and property crime vignettes. Sexism scores were hypothesized not only to share significant associations with respondent’s perceptions of crime, but also to interact with the type of crime committed and the gender of the offender to influence respondent’s perceptions of the crimes in the vignettes. Results based on ordered logistic regressions suggest that both benevolent and hostile sexist attitudes interact with the type of crime committed and the gender of the offender to influence perceptions of crime seriousness, and sentence severity. Furthermore, when controlling for type of crime and sexist attitudes, female offenders tended to be given harsher ratings than men for violent and property crimes. When controlling for crime type and the gender of the offender, respondents with higher benevolent sexism scores perceived violent and property crimes to be more serious and thought sentencing should be more severe than either non-sexists, or respondents with higher hostile sexism scores. Finally, hostile sexists gave the harshest ratings for white-collar crime vignettes. Implications for existing theories and future studies are discussed. Details: Riverside, CA: University of California, Riverside, 2012. 117p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed March 30, 2013 at: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/278674nj Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/278674nj Shelf Number: 128177 Keywords: Female OffendersGender DisparitiesSentencing (U.S.)SexismSexist Attitudes |
Author: Penal Reform International Title: Women in Detention: A Guide to Gender-Sensitive Monitoring Summary: Women in detention: a guide to gender-sensitive monitoring - is designed to help bodies monitoring places of detention incorporate a gender perspective into their work and to address the problem of violence against women and girls in detention. This guide introduces the UN Bangkok Rules and other relevant sources of international law to bodies monitoring places of detention, including National Preventive Mechanisms, and provides guidance on assessing risk factors and making recommendations to improve the protection of women against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Details: London: Penal Reform International, 2013. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 4, 2013 at: http://www.penalreform.org/files/Women%20in%20Detention%20-%20a%20guide%20to%20gender%20sensitive%20monitoring_English_0.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.penalreform.org/files/Women%20in%20Detention%20-%20a%20guide%20to%20gender%20sensitive%20monitoring_English_0.pdf Shelf Number: 128209 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersPrison Violence |
Author: Driscoll, Helen Patricia Title: Sex Differences in Aggression: The role of inhibitory control. Summary: Women engage in far less direct aggression and crime than men. Given the potential rewards of aggression, women’s desistance requires explanation. This thesis examined Campbell’s (2006) proposal that sex differences in aggression are mediated by women’s greater fear and inhibitory control. Campbell (1999) argued that women are more fearful of activities associated with risk of physical harm due to high fitness costs incurred by offspring as a result of maternal death or injury in the ancestral environment. In a large adolescent sample (Chapter 3), harm avoidance emerged as the primary mediator of sex differences, though inhibitory control was a significant partial mediator. Campbell’s theory has been extended to explaining sex differences in experiences of aggression (‘social representations’). Women’s more expressive experience (as a loss of control) may represent an accurate ‘readout’ of their experience, whereby superior inhibitory control of anger results in behavioural expression at a higher level of arousal. Chapter 2 reports the results of a confirmatory factor analysis, which confirmed the superior psychometric status of the Revised Short Expagg (which measures the experience of aggression); This measure was incorporated into the study reported in Chapter 3. Women’s lesser aggression was also explained by their relatively more expressive representation, providing support for the ‘readout’ theory. Research which has established sex symmetry in partner-directed aggression (Chapter 4) presented a critical test of Campbell’s theory. It was proposed that women experience a reduction in fear and inhibitory control in intimate relationships. To test this, a context-specific measure of inhibition was developed (Chapter 5). Women from community samples reported significantly less inhibition than men on this measure (Chapters 5 & 6). In the study reported in Chapter 6, women’s perpetration of partner aggression was associated with lower inhibition on one measured domain (the tendency to express honest appraisals rather than engage in tactful dishonesty). Women’s aggression was associated with an instrumental experience, indicative of control motives. However, fear was positively associated with aggression perpetration, though it was unclear whether fear was a precursor to, or a consequence of aggression. Implications for avoidant and appetitive theories of sex differences are discussed in Chapter 7. Details: Durham, UK: Durham University, 2011. 336p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 7, 2013 at: Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 129009 Keywords: Female OffendersGender-Based AggressionPhysical Aggression |
Author: Cornell Law School’s Avon Global Center for Women and Justice and International Human Rights Clinic Title: Women in Prison in Argentina: Causes, Conditions, and Consequences Summary: In many countries around the world, including Argentina, the number of women who are deprived of their liberty has risen over time and has increased disproportionately in comparison to male prisoners. In Argentina, the number of female prisoners within the federal system increased 193%, while the male population rose 111% from 1990 to 2012. Nonetheless, little research has been done to understand why there has been such a dramatic increase in women's incarceration. At the same time, international and domestic laws governing prisons and prison policies and practices have traditionally been designed for men. In 2010, however, the United Nations adopted the first international standards relating specifically to women prisoners - the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Female Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders (Bangkok Rules). The Bangkok Rules specifically call for research to be conducted on (among other things) the causes of women's imprisonment, the characteristics of women in prison, and the impact on children. This Report focuses particularly on the causes and conditions of women's imprisonment, and consequences for children of incarcerated mothers in Argentina. In undertaking research for this Report, the authors developed two surveys, a General Prison Population Survey that was administered to nearly 30% of all women prisoners (246 women) in Argentina's federal prison system (attached as Annex 1) and a Co-Residence Program Survey which received responses from 26 women residing with their children in prison (attached as Annex 2); conducted site visits to two women's prisons in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and interviewed women prisoners, judges, academics and civil society members. Justice Elena Highton de Nolasco, the Vice President of the Supreme Court of Argentina, invited us to conduct this study and provided us with full and open access and cooperation. This Report focuses solely on the federal prison system in Argentina, known as the Servicio Penitenciaro Federal (SPF), while the vast majority of the people deprived of their liberty are held in provincial jails across the country. As of April 2012, the SPF detained 9,693 prisoners in 34 federal prisons. Of these, 9% (or approximately 872 SPF prisoners) were women. Details: Chicago: University of Chicago Law School, 2013. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 19, 2013 at: http://www.law.uchicago.edu/files/files/Argentina_report_final_web.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Argentina URL: http://www.law.uchicago.edu/files/files/Argentina_report_final_web.pdf Shelf Number: 129458 Keywords: Female Inmates (Argentina)Female OffendersPrisonersPrisons |
Author: Estrada, Felipe Title: Criminality and Life-Chances: A longitudinal study of crime, childhood circumstances and living conditions up to age 48 Summary: In this report, we direct our focus at the longer term consequences of involvement in crime. What does the future look like for those boys and girls who have been registered for crimes during their teenage years? We look at different groups defined on the basis of their level of involvement in crime during the life-course. We employ a new and rich longitudinal data set, The Stockholm Birth Cohort Study (SBC), which allows us to follow a cohort born in Stockholm in 1953 until they reach 48 years of age. One central finding is that the individuals who committed offences both as youths and as adults both came from markedly worse childhood conditions and had a significantly worse welfare situation in middle age. This is particularly true of the group of females who committed offences both as youths and as adults, who constitute a highly selected group, with experience of substantial childhood disadvantage. As adults, the majority of these women can be described as being in a state of social exclusion. A large proportion of them have no employment and have difficulty supporting themselves. Even though these things are also true of many of the men who persisted in offending into adulthood, it is important to note that in middle age, the majority of these men have some level of labour market attachment. For the vast majority of those who have committed offences life has turned out well. When we look at the cohort members’ family situation and labour market attachment, the differences between the youths who desisted from crime in their teenage years and those with no registered offending are quite small. The study illustrates both the negative long-term consequences of inequalities in childhood conditions, involvement in crime and the inability of society to resolve these problems. We also show that the youths who were unable to desist from crime when they became adults had themselves as children been looking forward to a very different future. An overwhelming majority of the cohort, irrespective of their degree of involvement in crime, had a similar view of what a good life would involve as an adult. The lives they then led as adults were apparently very different however. Details: Stockholm: Department of Criminology, Stockholm University, 2009. Source: Internet Resource: Department of Criminology Report Series, Report 2009:3: Accessed August 19, 2013 at: http://su.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:282982/FULLTEXT01 Year: 2009 Country: Sweden URL: http://su.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:282982/FULLTEXT01 Shelf Number: 129639 Keywords: Female OffendersLife CourseLongitudinal Studies (Sweden)Stockholm Birth Cohort Study |
Author: Raeder, Lyrna Title: Pregnancy- and Child-Related Legal and Policy Issues Concerning Justice-Involved Women Summary: The potential for legal liability looms large for correctional administrators in prison, jail, probation, and parole settings. Although "litigation is always a possibility regardless of its ultimate likelihood of success, positive outcomes are more likely when legal issues have been anticipated and administrators can articulate appropriate reasons for the policy, practice or conduct in question." As the number of women under some form of correctional custody increases, administrators are tasked with establishing policies and practices around myriad issues that are unique to or occur with greater frequency with women in the correctional system. In 2003, the National Institute of Corrections published Gender Responsive Strategies: Research, Practice, and Guiding Principles for Women Offenders as the result of a multiyear project aimed at creating a foundation for administrators and practitioners to manage justice-involved women effectively. That document's appendix provided a legal overview of issues that affect women offenders, such as equal protection and access to facilities, programs, and services; staffing and supervision; sexual misconduct; due process challenges; and pregnancy- and child-related questions. This document-the first of a two-part series on legal issues affecting corrections with regard to justice-involved women-builds upon that appendix. It specifically focuses on reproductive health issues; pregnancy management, particularly with regard to obstetrics and gynecological health issues; pregnancy-related security considerations; visitation; the effect of parental incarceration on both the incarcerated mother and child; and how these issues must inform reentry planning. While many of these issues affect a small percentage of the overall corrections population, they may contribute to an increased outlay of resources, particularly with regard to reproductive, obstetrical, and gynecological issues. As with most correctional challenges, there is no one "right" way to deal with these types of issues. Because of changes in established practices and needed resources, corrections officials tasked with developing strategies to address these issues should collect data and analyze research from various sources and may look to case law and legal decisions for additional guidance. This document aims to assist administrators in developing policies and practices to address the issues common in female offender populations by providing the legal framework in which authorities made decisions and the contextual information around those decisions. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections, 2013. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: NIC Accession No. 027701: Accessed January 27, 2014 at: http://static.nicic.gov/Library/027701.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://static.nicic.gov/Library/027701.pdf Shelf Number: 131806 Keywords: Children of PrisonersFamilies of InmatesFemale InmatesFemale OffendersPregnant Inmates |
Author: Mosher, Clayton C. Title: Final Report on the Program Evaluation of the Pine Lodge Pre-release Residential Therapeutic Community for Women Offenders in Washington State Summary: This research report describes the purpose, methods, results, and implications of an evaluation of the Pine Lodge Pre-Release Therapeutic Community for Women Offenders in Washington State. Funded by the National Institute of Justice as part of its research initiative for local evaluations of prison-based residential substance abuse treatment programs, this evaluation focuses on: (1) factors that affect successful completion of the program; and (2) outcomes, i.e., recidivism, for Pine Lodge participants as compared with a matched control group. Our approach was to supplement primary, qualitative data derived from extensive on-site observations with secondary, quantitative data culled from periodic reports from the facility and the Washington State Department of Corrections. In that regard, this evaluation not only represents a departure from, but also is unique among, evaluations of therapeutic communities reported in the professional literature. We are able to describe (what we believe to be) important insights into the external pressures on the Pine Lodge therapeutic community, the internal dynamics and daily rhythms of the program, and the specific challenges faced by both inmates and staff in the program-insights that are not forthcoming from a reading of secondary program data alone. The operative word in our evaluation study is "change." Despite impressions from the extant literature that prison treatment programs in general, and therapeutic communities in particular, are static entities, our research indicates that they are highly dynamic and ever-changing. In ways both substantive and semantic, the Pine Lodge Pre-Release substance abuse treatment program was not the same entity from the beginning of our study in 1997 to its conclusion in the Summer of 2001. While the therapeutic community experienced "growing pains" in its first few years of operation that led to comparatively low completion rates, recent changes to the program are having a positive impact on completion. Further, women who participated in the Pine Lodge program, when compared with a matched control group, are less likely to be convicted of a new offense upon release. Most important, women who successfully completed the treatment program are the least likely to be convicted of a new offense after release. Overall, "New Horizons" is a prison-based residential substance abuse treatment program that is: Jadmitting, reaching, and servicing its targeted population; conforming to widely-accepted principles of chemical dependency therapy; being delivered by well-trained, highly dedicated professionals; operating at an .appropriate capacity with an effective client-staff ratio; exhibiting the essential characteristics of a therapeutic community; graduating reasonable numbers of participants; and exerting a long-term, positive influence on offenders who complete the program. Specific highlights of our findings, inferences, and recommendations regarding the Pine Lodge "New Horizons" program are itemized. Details: Pullman, WA: Washington State University, 2001. 132p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 31, 2014 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/196670.pdf Year: 2001 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/196670.pdf Shelf Number: 131822 Keywords: Drug Abuse TreatmentDrug OffendersFemale OffendersOffender TreatmentPrisonersSubstance Abuse Treatment |
Author: Western Australia, Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services Title: The Management of Young Women and Girls at Banksia Hill Detention Centre Summary: The riot at the Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre ('Banksia Hill') on 20 January 2013, the ensuing court casesi1and the publication of two independent reportsii2have resulted in considerable debate in government, the media and the non-government sector about youth justice services in Western Australia. It appears to be accepted that the shortcomings that led to the riot were reflective of systemic problems and that organisational and cultural change is needed to improve service delivery, efficiencies and correctional outcomes. The boys held in detention have attracted the most attention. This is not surprising: they represent by far the majority of detainees (over 90 per cent), it was the boys who were responsible for the 20 January riot, and it was the boys who were subsequently transferred to Hakea Prison. However, it is vitally important that the specific needs and challenges of girls in detention are not subsumed by the demands of the boys. This report aims to assess the current 'state of play' with respect to incarcerated girls and to promote further debate and focus. The report is the outcome of an inspection of the girls' unit at Banksia Hill (Yeeda Unit) in April/May 2013. It contains a number of recommendations regarding services and systems and also some more strategic recommendations. While the report stands in its own right, it needs to be read alongside the report of the directed review into the Banksia Hill riot.Pleasingly, the Department of Corrective Services ('DCS') has supported almost all the recommendations. Details: Perth, WA, AUS: Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services, 2014. 53p. Source: Internet Resource: Report no. 86: Accessed March 12, 2014 at: http://www.oics.wa.gov.au/index.cfm?objectID=F9248052-0B7C-FDCB-7578862113D36911 Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://www.oics.wa.gov.au/index.cfm?objectID=F9248052-0B7C-FDCB-7578862113D36911 Shelf Number: 131863 Keywords: Detention CentersFemale OffendersJuvenile DetentionJuvenile Offenders |
Author: Irish Penal Reform Trust Title: Women in the Criminal Justice System: Towards a Non-Custodial Approach Summary: The IPRT Position Paper 10: Women in the Criminal Justice System - Towards a non-custodial approach includes an account of recent trends in the imprisonment of women in Ireland. It goes on to look at the complex range of needs experienced by many women convicted of an offence and the associated overuse of remand for women offenders. It then discusses the issues faced by women in prison who have caring responsibilities, followed by a section on challenges faced by women leaving prison. Key Messages - The number and proportion of women in the Irish prison population has increased significantly in recent years. Most women are committed to prison for non-violent offences, such as non-payment of fines. Consequences have included overcrowding in women's prisons and an overuse of temporary release. - Women offenders tend to come from a background of social disadvantage and poverty, and often suffer from mental health problems, substance dependency, accommodation problems and poor family relationships. These issues can make it difficult for women to adhere to bail conditions, which has led to an overuse of remand for women offenders. This in turn has negative implications for children of women who are imprisoned on remand and the employment prospects of these women. - A high proportion of women in prison have children. Women also play an important role in caring for dependent relatives. Women who are imprisoned can no longer fulfil their caring responsibilities and the consequences of this can be significant. This is particularly an issue for mothers with babies, due to the absence of a mother and baby unit in either female prison in Ireland. - Women face a range of problems on being released from prison, relating to housing, accommodation and stability, and over half of women prisoners reoffend. - Developments in the UK have reflected a growing acknowledgement of the value of non-custodial alternatives and community-based supports for women offenders. This has also been highlighted by the UN, in the 'Bangkok Rules', which have informed the Irish Inspector of Prisons on the subject of women prisoners. - The 'one-stop-shop' approach to supporting women offenders in the community takes a holistic approach, with a range of supports and services provided in one location. A number of centres in the UK are based on this promising model. In Ireland, the Tus Nua project provides supported housing and other supports to women leaving the Dochas Centre. - This position paper makes two key recommendations: that a non-custodial approach should be adopted for women offenders; and in the few cases where prison is necessary, the negative impact of imprisonment on the women and those they care for should be minimised. The next section details developments in the UK and prison standards that reflect an increasing acknowledgement of the value of a community-based approach to dealing with women offenders. This is followed by an overview of some emerging models of good practice, followed by conclusions and two key recommendations. Details: Dublin: Irish Penal Reform Trust, 2013. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: IPRT Position Paper 10: Accessed March 14, 2014 at: http://www.iprt.ie/files/IPRT_Position_Paper_on_Women_in_the_Criminal_Justice_System.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Ireland URL: http://www.iprt.ie/files/IPRT_Position_Paper_on_Women_in_the_Criminal_Justice_System.pdf Shelf Number: 131924 Keywords: Alternatives to IncarcerationChildren of PrisonersCommunity Based CorrectionsCommunity CorrectionsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersWomen Inmates |
Author: Penal Reform International Title: Neglected Needs: Girls in the Criminal Justice System Summary: Girls are one of the most vulnerable groups involved in criminal justice systems because of their age, gender and small numbers. Relatively little is known or understood about offending by girls, their specific needs whilst in detention, or about what is effective in terms of gender-sensitive rehabilitation and social reintegration measures. This paper examines the specific challenges faced by girls in contact with the criminal justice system and makes recommendations for strengthening the protection of their rights. It explores how girls face discriminatory treatment in terms of the type of offences for which they are detained, their access to fair trial guarantees, and the lack of suitable alternatives to detention. It then looks at some of the specific challenges faced by girls in detention and the international and regional standards in place to address these, focusing on: - protection from violence - access to adequate healthcare - provision of rehabilitation and reintegration services - access to effective remedy. Details: London: Penal Reform International, 2014. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 17, 2014 at: http://www.penalreform.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/girls-crim-just-v4.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.penalreform.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/girls-crim-just-v4.pdf Shelf Number: 131946 Keywords: Female OffendersGender Specific ResponsesJuvenile Detention |
Author: Gobeil, Renee Title: Older Incarcerated Women Offenders: Social Support and Health Needs Summary: Due to the increasing aging offender population, and the limited research on older women offenders, a recent profile of older federal women offenders was undertaken by the Research Branch. While that study provided a preliminary descriptive profile of the levels of risk and need of older women, it also identified several areas that would benefit from further investigation. As a follow-up to the initial profile report, the goal of current study was to collect information concerning the unique needs of older women offenders in the areas of social support and health. What we did Interviews were conducted with 30 federal women offenders over the age of 50. The interview focused on the women's perceptions and experiences with sources of social support both internal and external to the institutions. Additionally, women's concerns regarding their physical and mental health, as well as their experiences with health care services were also explored throughout the interview. What we found Women were asked about their sources of social support outside (family, friends, community groups) and inside (staff, other inmates, programs/activities) the correctional facilities. All the women reported having at least one source of support available to them outside of the facility. Overall, they ranked the support they received from these external sources higher compared to institutional sources of support within the facilities. Most older women offenders (96%) identified having two or more physical health problems at the time of the study. Three common physical health problems that primarily affect older women include menopause, cancer (breast, uterus, and cervix), and osteoporosis. Half the women reported that they had experienced a mental health condition, symptom, or diagnosis since admission. Overall, older women were mostly satisfied with physical health care and psychological services; however, they identified limited access to both physical and mental health staff as an area of improvement. What it means Areas of improvement identified by the women include separate housing for older and younger offenders, and increased access to alternative health care options. Increased knowledge of these and other specific need areas will assist the Women Offender Sector in effectively addressing current barriers and planning for upcoming decisions relating to the use of new infrastructure. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service Canada, 2012. 83p. To obtain a PDF version of the full report, contact the following address: research@csc-scc.gc.ca Source: Internet Resource: 2012 No. R-275: Accessed March 28, 2014 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0275-eng.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0275-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 132023 Keywords: Elderly InmatesFemale InmatesFemale OffendersHealth Care |
Author: Allenby, Kim Title: A Profile of Women Who Sexually Offend Summary: Women who have committed sexual offences are an understudied offender population that only relatively recently has become a growing area of interest in research. More recently, research has focused on exploring pathways to offending and developing a descriptive model of the process of female-perpetrated sexual offending (e.g., Gannon & Cortoni, 2010). In collaboration with Theresa Gannon, the Research Branch will seek to reproduce her work using a sample of Canadian women sexual offenders (WSOs). As an initial phase, the goal of the current study was to provide a descriptive profile of WSOs under CSC jurisdiction and contribute to our general knowledge and understanding of this population. What we did All Canadian federal women offenders identified as sexual offenders between January 2001 and March 2010 were included in the sample (N = 58). Using the Offender Management System, data were collected concerning offender demographics, risk, and needs; offence, accomplice and victim characteristics; social history; and typology. Data were gathered via automated extraction and manual file review. What we found WSOs were most likely to be Caucasian, in their thirties at intake into federal institutions, and under-educated. They presented with high risk and high needs, particularly in the areas of personal/emotional and family/marital needs. Most women had experienced some type of abuse in childhood (70%; most frequently sexual abuse) and/or adulthood (84%; most frequently physical abuse). 72% of WSOs committed their offence alongside at least one accomplice who was most likely to be male and the woman's partner. Victims' ages ranged but victims were most often young children (5-11) or adolescents (12-17). Typology analyses revealed that over half the WSOs (55%) were male accompanied/coerced offenders; another 19% were identified as angry/impulsive offenders. In comparison to the rest of the WSO sample, those women identified as male accompanied/coerced offenders presented with significantly higher need in relation to the family/marital domain. Angry/impulsive WSOs, in comparison to the rest of the sample, presented with higher risk and more considerable needs in the domains of substance abuse, associates and personal/emotional. What it means Results contribute to our understanding of the unique characteristics, risk and needs of women who commit sexual offences and will assist staff in understanding, treating, and managing these women who present with complex needs. In addition, these results provide early evidence for gender differences in sex offending behavior and thereby provide background for an upcoming, in-depth report examining the pathways to, and processes of female-perpetrated sexual offending. Finally, these results also provide context for the development and implementation of the Program for Women Who Sexually Offend; a program designed to meet the needs and promote successful community reintegration for federal women sexual offenders. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2012. 29p. To obtain a PDF version of the full report, contact the following address: research@csc-scc.gc.ca Source: Internet Resource: 2012 No. R-274: Accessed March 28, 2014 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/research/005008-0274-eng.shtml Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/research/005008-0274-eng.shtml Shelf Number: 132024 Keywords: Female OffendersFemale Sex OffendersSex OffendersSexual Abuse |
Author: Booth, Laura Title: Effective Correctional Programs for Women Offenders Summary: The provision of effective correctional programming is central to the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) in achieving its goal of successful offender rehabilitation. Accordingly, the current Program Strategy for Women Offenders suggests that the goals of successful rehabilitation are best achieved by providing programming that follows empirically supported elements of the risk-need-responsivity (RNR) programming model within a gender-responsive framework. CSC maintains that programs should be women-centered, holistic, and acknowledge the diversity of women offenders within a supportive environment. The purpose of the current study was to assess the extent to which correctional programming for women offenders successfully integrates both the traditional programming aspects of the RNR model and the principles of gender-responsive programming, as outlined in the Program Strategy for Women Offenders. The Women's Violence Prevention Program (WVPP) and the Women Offender Substance Abuse Program (WOSAP) were used in the current analysis as examples of programs developed by CSC following a gender-responsive structure. Data were collected regarding these programs via a series of assessments and reviews during three separate stages with three different groups of participants. In the first stage, key informants involved in program development and facilitation participated in the completion of the Correctional Program Assessment Inventory 2000 (CPAI - 2000; Gendreau & Andrews, 2001) and the Gender-Responsive Program Assessment (GRPA; Covington, 2007). The second stage involved staff facilitators of the aforementioned programs who completed self-report measures including the Gender-Responsive Questionnaire (GRQ) - Staff Version and the Effective Treatment Element Questionnaire (ETEQ; Nesovic, 2003). In the final stage, women offenders who had completed WVPP or any phase of WOSAP from two federal institutions, (Grand Valley Institution for Women and Nova Institution for Women), participated in an interview-based questionnaire. A total of 15 staff facilitators and 15 women offenders participated. Overall, responses from both staff and offenders supported the effective integration of RNR principles within a gender-responsive framework. One area of concern that was highlighted by both staff and women was limitations in the provision of culturally sensitive programming. Responses also indicated certain gaps in the provision of ongoing support and booster sessions, while staff noted operational issues impacting the provision of programs such as high staff turnover and limited funding. Although the current research is preliminary in nature and needs to be interpreted with caution given small sample sizes, results do support CSC's ability to target established elements of correctional programming while implementing a gender-responsive approach. Results also suggest that a continued focus on the provision of culturally sensitive programming within the gender-responsive framework is needed. Additionally, in order to facilitate successful program implementation, operational and implementation issues related to staffing and ongoing supervision are other areas that warrant additional attention. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2012. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: 2012 No. R-279: Accessed April 7, 2014 at: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/lbrr/archives/cn21543-eng.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/lbrr/archives/cn21543-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 132042 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersGender Specific ResponsesTreatment Programs |
Author: Stathopoulos, Mary Title: The Exception that Proves the Rule: Female Sex offending and the Gendered Nature of Sexual Violence Summary: This Research Summary demonstrates that female sex offending, although a serious issue, makes up a very small percentage of all sex offences. Correctional services data show a prevalence rate of just under 5% (Cortoni & Hanson, 2005). This paper explores prevalence statistics as well as offender and offence characteristics from data collected about female sex offenders. Data limitations with this population include very small samples, usually limited to custodial populations. This summary outlines the impacts on victims of sex offences by women, as well as issues related to disclosing the abuse. The available literature on prevention as well as treatment options is also explored. Details: Melbourne: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, 2014. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: ACSSA Research Summary: Accessed April 28, 2014 at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/researchsummary/ressum5/ressum5.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/researchsummary/ressum5/ressum5.pdf Shelf Number: 132182 Keywords: Female OffendersFemale Sex Offenders Sex Offenders Sexual Assault |
Author: Giacomello, Corina Title: Women, Drug Offenses and Penitentiary Systems in Latin America Summary: The number of women in prison for drug-related offenses has increased since the 1980s, rising sharply since the 1990s. This has occurred worldwide, and Latin America is no exception. Women increasingly enter drug-trafficking circuits as consumers, low-level dealers and local (including in prison), national and international transporters. In various countries around the world, the female penitentiary population has grown faster than the male, although women are still the minority. This paper analyzes the roles played by women in criminal networks in Latin America and the means by which they become involved, highlighting the ways in which gender relations and socio-economic factors shape the configuration of international drug trafficking networks and women's participation. It also critically examines the main characteristics of the region's penitentiary systems from a gender standpoint. Finally, it offers a series of conclusions and proposals aimed at promoting a review and reform of drug and penitentiary policies. Details: London: International Drug Policy Consortium, 2013. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: IDPC Briefing Paper: Accessed May 5, 2014 at: http://idpc.net/publications/2013/11/idpc-briefing-paper-women-drug-offenses-and-penitentiary-systems-in-latin-america Year: 2013 Country: Latin America URL: http://idpc.net/publications/2013/11/idpc-briefing-paper-women-drug-offenses-and-penitentiary-systems-in-latin-america Shelf Number: 132236 Keywords: Criminal NetworksDrug TraffickingFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale Prisoners |
Author: Turner, Shelley Title: Case Management with Women Offenders: Literature Review Summary: This literature review relates to case management in community corrections with women offenders. The review summarises research outcomes about best practice principles for the management of women offenders under community corrections supervision. The review also examines the outcomes of evaluations of case management as a supervisory and rehabilitative mechanism. The central purpose of the review is to inform a Dedicated Women's Case Management pilot project conducted by Corrections Victoria, which involves using specialist case managers for women offenders, assessed as being at medium to high risk of re-offending or with multiple and complex needs. The review examines international and Australian literature on effective practice and 'what works' with offenders and, in particular women offenders, to reduce recidivism, as well as international and Australian literature on case management approaches in community corrections, with particular reference to those designed for women offenders. Details: Melbourne: Department of Justice - Corrections Victoria, 2010. 51p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 19, 2014 at: http://www.corrections.vic.gov.au/utility/publications+manuals+and+statistics/literature+review+on+case+management+with+women+offenders Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.corrections.vic.gov.au/utility/publications+manuals+and+statistics/literature+review+on+case+management+with+women+offenders Shelf Number: 132510 Keywords: Case ManagementCommunity Based CorrectionsCommunity SupervisionFemale OffendersOffender Rehabilitation |
Author: Holmes, Jessie Title: NSW Police Recorded Female Persons of Interest: Has there been an increase in the 10 years to June 2013? Summary: Aim: To investigate characteristics and trends from 2003/04 to 2012/13 in female persons of interest (POIs) recorded by NSW Police. Method: The number of female and male POIs were informed by data on POIs proceeded against by police from the NSW Police Force Computerised Operational Policing System. Characteristics of female POIs are described and trends over the 10 years to June 2013 were analysed using Kendall's rank-order correlation test. Results: Over the decade ending June 2013 both adult female and male POIs increased in number. However the number of adult female POIs increased at a greater rate than their male counterparts. Adult females were most likely to be apprehended by police for shoplifting and assault. Unlike adult female POIs, juvenile female POIs have not generally increased over the past decade. Instead they rose, stabilised, then fell, so that by 2012/13 the number of juvenile female POIs were only slightly higher than in 2003/04. Over the most recent three years there were no significant increases for juvenile females for any of the offences examined. The offences committed by juvenile females were very similar to those committed by adult females, with shoplifting having the largest proportion of juvenile female POIs associated, followed by assault, breach of bail conditions and then malicious damage. Conclusion: Females are still in the minority among POIs but their numbers are growing. Details: Sydney: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 2014. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: Issue paper No. 94: Accessed July 2, 2014 at: http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/agdbasev7wr/_assets/bocsar/m716854l4/bb94.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/agdbasev7wr/_assets/bocsar/m716854l4/bb94.pdf Shelf Number: 132598 Keywords: Crime StatisticsDomestic ViolenceFemale Juvenile OffendersFemale OffendersShoplifting |
Author: Swift, Donna Title: The Girl's Project. Girl Fighting: An investigation of young women's violent and anti-social behaviour Summary: This report is based on the findings from The Girl's Project, a two-year investigation of girls' use of violence and anti-social behaviour, which was conducted in the Tasman Police District between August 2009 and August 2011. The research was funded by the Lottery Community Sector Research Committee. Ethical approval was obtained from the Association of Social Science Researchers and the Association of Social Anthropologists of Aotearoa/New Zealand in 2009. The goal of the research was to establish a substantial base of understanding about young women's use of violent and anti-social behaviour specific to the New Zealand context. From this knowledge Stopping Violence Services Nelson (SVSN) would be able to create guidelines for best practice for agencies and professionals to use when working in young women's violence intervention and have the capacity to evaluate and advise about existing services for girls. Data collection employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. Over 3400 questionnaires were collected from Year 9 and 10 boys and girls to gauge the involvement of young people and provide gender comparison. In addition, 40 focus groups of girls, between the ages of 12 to 18, have provided the perspectives of young women from mainstream settings. However, the most significant contribution to this report comes from the more than 100 interviews conducted with teenage girls, many of whom came to the researchers' attention or were referred by authorities because of their engagement in violent behaviour. Details: Nelson, NZ: Stopping Violence Services Nelson, 2011. 107p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 18, 2014 at: http://www.thegirlsproject.org.nz/girls-project.pdf Year: 2011 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.thegirlsproject.org.nz/girls-project.pdf Shelf Number: 132051 Keywords: Antisocial BehaviorFemale CrimeFemale Juvenile Offenders (New Zealand)Female Offenders FemalesGender Violence |
Author: Neale, Jenny Title: Women and Drink- Driving Summary: Women and drink-driving has been a somewhat contentious topic for some time, given the continuing prevalence of the double standard around women and drinking (Massey 2006). Little is known, however, about women's drink-driving attitudes and behaviours in New Zealand, or about how these may or may not have changed over time. A scan of the relevant literature, from 2000 onwards, found that there was limited information on drink-driving disaggregated by gender, especially in the New Zealand situation. There is some drink-driving research providing evidence on the way in which women drink (or not) and their perceptions of the legal limit (Kypri & Stephenson 2005, Gulliver & Begg 2004); the influence of gender with regard to being a passenger in a car and unsafe behaviour (Williams et al 2007); and persistent drink-driving, using results from the Dunedin longitudinal study (Begg et al 2003). As the New Zealand population ages, the behaviour of older women drivers will become an important area for policy, but at present this area is under-researched. The aim of the current research was to explore the attitudes and behaviours around women and drink-driving, and ascertain the extent to which these had changed over the past decade. The next section of the report is the literature review, which provides the broad context for the research. This is followed by the methods, the results, and the conclusion. Details: Wellington, NZ: Health Services Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington, 2014. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 25, 2014 at: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/sog/researchcentres/health-services-research-centre/publications/reports/Women-and-drink-driving-version-Final.pdf Year: 2014 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/sog/researchcentres/health-services-research-centre/publications/reports/Women-and-drink-driving-version-Final.pdf Shelf Number: 132752 Keywords: Driving Under the InfluenceDrunk Driving (New Zealand)Female Offenders |
Author: Malaysian AIDS Council Title: Understanding Women Who Use Drugs in Malaysia Summary: The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) is an umbrella organisation of 47 Partner Organisations across Malaysia working to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV (PLHIV), advocating for access to medicines, and undertaking advocacy activities to reduce the harms of injection drug use. Under the project of Asia Action, funded by the European Union, one of the objectives is to incorporate the gender-specific needs of women who use drugs into drug treatment, HIV prevention, and welfare services. As there is a dearth of research on women who use drugs in Malaysia, MAC is undertaking qualitative research with this population to document demographics and understand the needs and barriers facing women who use drugs. Interviews are ongoing with 45 women who use drugs at urban settings in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kelantan and Johor using a semi-structured interview guide. Preliminary results indicate that s majority of respondents were poly-drug users with the mean age of initiation into heroin use in their early 20s. Only one had not had any contact with police as a consequence of drug use. Those who had been held in police custody had been in police custody more times than prison. Poverty was a key theme. The respondents also felt that they did not have adequate access to reproductive health and welfare services. Health literacy was low and early marriage was prevalent. This report also provides insights into the unique vulnerabilities of young people who use drugs, and provides recommendations to better serve their needs Details: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Malaysian AIDS Council, 2014. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 14, 2014 at: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/64663568/library/understanding-women-drug-users-in-malaysia.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Malaysia URL: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/64663568/library/understanding-women-drug-users-in-malaysia.pdf Shelf Number: 133072 Keywords: Drug Offenders (Malaysia) Drug Treatment Female Offenders |
Author: Huizinga, David Title: Developmental Sequences of Girls' Delinquent Behavior Summary: According to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, from 1991 to 2000, arrests of girls increased more (or decreased less) than arrests of boys for most types of offenses. By 2004, girls accounted for 30 percent of all juvenile arrests. However, questions remain about whether these trends reflect an actual increase in girls' delinquency or changes in societal responses to girls' behavior. To find answers to these questions, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention convened the Girls Study Group to establish a theoretical and empirical foundation to guide the development, testing, and dissemination of strategies to reduce or prevent girls' involvement in delinquency and violence. The Girls Study Group series, of which this bulletin is a part, presents the Group's findings. The series examines issues such as patterns of offending among adolescents and how they differ for girls and boys; risk and protective factors associated with delinquency, including gender differences; and the causes and correlates of girls' delinquency. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2013. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Girls Study Group: Accessed October 6, 2014 at: http://www.ojjdp.gov/pubs/238276.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.ojjdp.gov/pubs/238276.pdf Shelf Number: 133571 Keywords: Delinquency PreventionFemale Juvenile OffendersFemale OffendersJuvenile Offenders (U.S.) |
Author: MacSwain, Mary-Ann Title: Characteristics of women participants in the Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program (MMTP), . Summary: Why we did this study Ensuring that offenders have access to interventions that address their substance abuse issues allows the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) to support the safe reintegration of offenders into society. The treatment needs of federal offenders with opioid dependence are facilitated through the provision of CSC's Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program (MMTP). Some of the objectives of CSC's MMTP include reducing relapse to opioid drug use and the incidence of drug-related criminal activity; improving the offender's general health and quality of life; and assisting and motivating offenders to gradually desist from all illicit drug use. Understanding the characteristics of women MMTP participants will assist CSC in developing its MMTP delivery to more effectively address the challenges of opioid addicted offenders, a group with high levels of criminogenic needs and long criminal histories. What we did The study included women federal offenders who were initiated into CSC's MMTP between January, 2003 and December, 2008 (N = 209). The comparison group consisted of the remaining women institutional population (N = 1879). The demographic characteristics, criminogenic risk and need factors and criminal histories of MMTP participants and the institutional population were compared. The drug use and mental health histories of MMTP participants were also examined. What we found Results indicate that, compared to the institutional population, female MMTP participants had higher static (risk) and dynamic (need) factor ratings. In addition, they had lower reintegration potential and motivation level, and a longer criminal history. MMTP participants were also more likely to currently be serving sentences for offences related to the acquisition of money or personal belongings such as robbery, theft or break and enter, and forgery/fraud, along with other non violent offences. They were also less likely to have current homicide or drug related offences. Most women MMTP participants report the use of pharmaceutical opioids, rather than heroin or a combination of heroin and pharmaceutical opioids. However, in the Pacific and Quebec regions, heroin use was more prevalent. Almost two thirds of women MMTP participants report problematic poly drug use in addition to their opioid use, with cocaine being the most commonly used non-opioid drug. Almost all (97%) of MMTP participants reported a history of injection drug use, and many also reported a history of overdose, and other risk behaviours related to their drug use such as needle sharing. Many women also present for MMT with other mental health issues such as depression (63%), anxiety (62%), and panic disorder (32%), as well as trauma such as physical (81%), mental (74%), and sexual abuse (67%). What it means The current study indicates that women MMTP participants have long criminal histories and represent major challenges for reintegration. However, successful treatment of their addiction and other criminogenic factors may lead to reductions in criminal activity after release. In addition, this research highlights a need to focus attention on the abuse of other drugs, trauma and mental health issues for this group of women. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2014. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No R-307 Accessed October 9, 2014 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0307-eng.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0307-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 133630 Keywords: Drug Abuse TreatmentDrug OffendersFemale Inmates (Canada)Female OffendersMethadone MaintenanceSubstance Abuse Treatment |
Author: Bateman, Tim Title: Resettlement of Girls and Young Women: Research Report Summary: This report addresses a worrying gap in the knowledge about the effective resettlement of girls and young women. Reviewing research literature in a number of relevant areas, it cross-references evidence of what works in the resettlement of young people with what we know about the wider need of girls and young women. This iterative synthesis approach thus provides a gender-sensitive approach to inform policy and practice development in resettlement for this specific group. Introduction: addressing the resettlement needs of an ignored constituency - Recent years has seen an increasing focus on the resettlement of young people after custody, with a number of initiatives designed to address stubbornly high reoffending rates. However, the specific needs of girls and young women have received little attention in policy and practice. This is a worrying gap because research with adult female offenders consistently warns that what works with male offenders is unlikely to work with females. - The resettlement needs of girls and young women have been ignored partly because they make up a small proportion of the custodial population, and partly because they usually offend less frequently and seriously than young males. - Academics have also largely ignored the needs of this group in resettlement. This is reflective of relatively limited numbers of studies on women in the criminal justice system more generally, but with even less known about younger females, and less still around custody. - This report provides gender-sensitive perspective of the established gender-neutral principles of what works in resettlement with young people. The report first considers the contemporary policy context for the resettlement of girls and young women, specifically in relation to Transforming Youth Custody. Literature searches then focused on reasons behind female youth offending, reviews judicial responses to this group, details the characteristics of young females in custody, and reflects on lessons from interventions with older females. Finally, the report draws on any resettlement studies or interventions that have previously included some focus on girls or young women's specific needs. Details: London: Beyond Youth Custody, 2014. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 13, 2014 at: http://www.beyondyouthcustody.net/wp-content/uploads/421_research-report_04_8_w-front_cover.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.beyondyouthcustody.net/wp-content/uploads/421_research-report_04_8_w-front_cover.pdf Shelf Number: 133886 Keywords: Female OffendersGender-Specific ProgrammingOffender ReentryRehabilitation ProgramsYoung Adult Offenders (U.K.) |
Author: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Office of Research Title: Female Realignment Report: An Examination of Female Offenders Released from State Prison in the First Year of Public Safety Realignment Summary: California's Public Safety Realignment Act of 2011 transferred jurisdiction and funding for managing lower-level criminal offenders from the State to the counties. Under Realignment, for example, certain lower level felons now serve their felony sentences in jail rather than prison. Realignment also changed California's system of community corrections. Prior to Realignment, State parole agents supervised every female inmate released from prison, and parole violators could be revoked to State prison for up to one year. Since October 1, 2011, probation departments have administered a system of post-release community supervision (PRCS) to complement State parole. State parole agents continue to supervise high-risk sex offenders, lifers, and any other female offenders who are released from prison after having been incarcerated for a current/prior serious or violent crime. All other female inmates released from prison are placed on PRCS. No offenders received an early release from prison under Realignment. If offenders violate the terms of PRCS or State parole supervision, a range of sanctions may be used by counties, including a revocation term in jail. Only certain offenders are eligible for revocation to State prison. Prior Realignment research conducted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) evaluated all offenders. This report examines arrest, convictions, and returns to prison for female offenders pre- and post-Realignment. Female offenders have "distinct rehabilitative and health care needs, and are more likely to have suffered trauma and abuse prior to incarceration" (California Association of Drug Court Professionals, 2012). As such, CDCR is committed to providing gender-responsive programs and services to meet those needs and, ultimately, increase successful return to society for our female population. CDCR now has one year of releases and one full year of follow-up data to evaluate how female offenders released from prison during the first year after implementation have fared. Note that a more complete examination of Realignment's impact on female offenders would require a three-year follow-up period. Methodology For this study, we identified two cohorts of female offenders: 1) the Pre-Realignment cohort of female offenders released between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011; and, 2) the Post-Realignment cohort of female offenders released between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012. One-year post-release recidivism rates were tracked for both cohorts to see if they were re-arrested, convicted of a new crime, or returned to State prison. Sound methodology and procedures were followed for this study; however, the study focuses on only one year of releases, representing an early stage of post-Realignment activity and implementation. Therefore, caution should be used when interpreting the findings. Details: Sacramento: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 2014. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 10, 2014 at: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/adult_research_branch/Research_Documents/Female%20One%20Yr%20Pre-Post-Realignment%20Recidivism%20Report.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/adult_research_branch/Research_Documents/Female%20One%20Yr%20Pre-Post-Realignment%20Recidivism%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 134014 Keywords: California Public Safety Realignment Act of 2011Community SupervisionFemale OffendersGender Specific ResponsesProbationRecidivismRevocation |
Author: Women's Foundation of California Title: Bias Behind Bars: Decreasing Disproportionate Rates of Incarcerated Women in California and Nationwide for Low-Level Offenses Summary: A new analysis of data regarding California's massive prison system underscores an emerging- and troubling-body of research nationally: Girls and women are disproportionately incarcerated in state prison for low-level, petty crimes. Even more troubling are the profound ripple effects this has on the stability of families and entire communities. These problems are national in scope, but a new review of statistics from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reveals telling numbers about this overlooked trend. This report highlights some examples of unequal treatment of women within the criminal justice system. We call attention to the fact that: 1. There are gender differences in treatment within the criminal justice system; 2. The long-term impacts of a felony conviction differ between men and women; and 3. Women's histories of abuse prior to incarceration impact their experiences while incarcerated and after release. As policymakers and the general public work to reform criminal justice systems (particularly to modernize approaches to holding people accountable for nonviolent offenses), it is critical for women's needs and circumstances to inform the changes underway. Trends related to gender must be considered in any criminal justice reform efforts, and institutional practices within the criminal justice system and post-release must take into account the ways in which the needs of men and women differ. We also share stories of three formerly incarcerated California women who have overcome the odds to rebuild their lives. Details: San Francisco: Women's Foundation of California, 2014. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 5, 2015 at: http://www.womensfoundca.org/sites/default/files/Bias-Behind-Bars.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.womensfoundca.org/sites/default/files/Bias-Behind-Bars.pdf Shelf Number: 134545 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersGender Bias |
Author: Beer, Marit de Title: Locked up in the tropics: Coping strategies among female prisoners of the State Prison of Bahia, Brazil Summary: The social position of many Bahian women is characterized by poverty, inequality, discrimination and marginalization. This 'second class citizenship' is the reason these women are more likely to commit a crime, as well as being sentenced to prison for it. In prison, their inferior social position is reconfirmed by harsh living conditions, the absence of facilities, weak legal assistance and ongoing discrimination by prison staff, family, and other citizens. My research showed that very low self-esteem among the female inmates has become the resulting leading thread which determines their capacity to cope with the stresses of prison life. How the prisoners of the Conjunto Penal Feminino in Salvador (Bahia, Brazil) dealt with their problems depended, on the one hand, on the changeability of the stressor and is, on the other hand, influenced by their personal life experiences. Good rehabilitation programs appeared to be absent at the Conjunto Penal Feminino da Bahia, where education and work have actually proven to be very important factors in lifting the prisoners' self-esteem and creating future possibilities for them. This is increasing the risk of reoffending and, again, confirms the women's status as 'incomplete' citizen. This way, a vicious circle is set into motion that is difficult to interrupt. Institutional coping strategies is what can, and should be improved by the Conjunto Penal Feminino da Bahia. Details: Utrecht: Utrecht University, 2010. 79p. Source: Internet Resource: Master's Essay: Accessed February 18, 2015 at: http://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/198753/Beer,%20M.%20de%20-%20Locked%20up%20in%20the%20tropics.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2010 Country: Brazil URL: http://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/198753/Beer,%20M.%20de%20-%20Locked%20up%20in%20the%20tropics.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 134644 Keywords: Female Inmates (Brazil)Female OffendersFemale PrisonersPrisons |
Author: Harris, Aileen Title: Therapeutic Alliance and Offender-Staff Relations in Women's Corrections Summary: What it means The current study demonstrates that healthy working relationships between institutional parole officers (POs) and women offenders may contribute to the overall adjustment of women during their incarceration. Although the findings are preliminary in nature, the results emphasize the importance of positive staff-offender interactions, the practice of dynamic security, and the selection of correctional staff with qualities that foster positive alliances with offenders in promoting correctional objectives. What we found Results of a correlation analysis demonstrated that women's perceived level of bonding with their PO was related to their institutional adjustment. Women with higher bond ratings were less likely to engage in institutional misconducts (r = -.22, p < .05). Interview responses from both staff and offenders further supported the importance of maintaining relational health and positive alliances within the institutional setting. Women consistently highlighted the importance of communication, interpersonal and relational skills that facilitate positive alliances between staff and offenders. Staff demonstrated their knowledge of the construct of therapeutic alliance, its meaning, and its application to the job, while also acknowledging the challenges of establishing alliances with such a diverse population within an environment that requires a focus on both positive interactions and safety/security concerns. The majority of staff and women indicated that dynamic security was being practiced across all of the women's sites. However, both groups also recognized certain operational demands and the provision of resources as obstacles in the maintenance of alliances. Why we did this study The current study emerged in response to an increasing focus in correctional literature on the importance of therapeutic alliance. Therapeutic alliance has been conceptualized as the collaborative and affective rapport established between a treatment provider and his/her client(s). The quality of this alliance is an important variable in the treatment process, affecting rehabilitation outcomes across diverse modes of treatment. Research in this area in correctional settings, particularly in settings with women offenders, is limited. The purpose of the current study, therefore, was to investigate the extent to which relationships between women offenders and institutional staff in the federal correctional system are characterized by healthy connections while exploring the construct of the therapeutic alliance. What we did Participants consisted of 124 women offenders and 88 correctional staff from all six women's federal facilities in Canada. Measures of alliance and relational health were used as predictors of institutional misconducts. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather information regarding staff and offender perceptions of alliances overall within the facility as well as the impact of the operational environment (dynamic/static security) on the development of such alliances. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2014. 1p. (Summary report). Full report is available upon request. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. R-305: Accessed April 1, 2015 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0305-eng.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0305-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 135120 Keywords: Corrections OfficersFemale InmatesFemale OffendersOffender Treatment ProgramsParole OfficersParolees |
Author: Campaniello, Nadia Title: Women in crime: Over the last 50 years women have been increasing their participation in the labor market and in the crime market Summary: In recent decades, women's participation in the labor market has increased considerably in most countries and is converging toward the participation rate of men. Though on a lesser scale, a similar movement toward gender convergence seems to be occurring in the criminal world, though many more men than women still engage in criminal activity. Technological progress and social norms have freed women from the home, increasing their participation in both the labor market and the crime market. With crime no longer just men's business, it is important to investigate female criminal behavior to determine whether the policy prescriptions to reduce crime should differ for women. There is still a gender gap in the crime market, but the number of women committing crimes is on the rise, partly because other socio-economic gender gaps have been shrinking. Women have more freedom than in the past, and with that come more opportunities for crime. Despite increasing social equality, police and judicial systems still tend to be more lenient with female than with male offenders. Policies to reduce wage disparities between skilled and unskilled female workers, such as incentivizing female education, might reduce crime among disadvantaged women. Family support policies, by encouraging marriage and having children, might also reduce crime among women. Details: Bonn: IZA World of Labor, 2014. 10p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 24, 2015 at: http://wol.iza.org/articles/women-in-crime-1.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://wol.iza.org/articles/women-in-crime-1.pdf Shelf Number: 135385 Keywords: Economics and CrimeFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersSocio-economic Conditions and Crime |
Author: Walmsley, Roy Title: World Female Imprisonment List (2nd Edition) Summary: This second edition of the World Female Imprisonment List shows the number of women and girls held in penal institutions, as pre-trial detainees (remand prisoners) or having been convicted and sentenced, in 212 prison systems in independent countries and dependent territories. It also shows the percentage of women and girls within each national prison population. The information is the latest available on the situation up to the beginning of 2012. In addition this second edition includes, where available, information about trends in the female prison population since 2000. Details: London: International Centre for Prison Studies, 2012. 6p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 29, 2015 at: http://www.prisonstudies.org/sites/prisonstudies.org/files/resources/downloads/wfil_2nd_edition.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.prisonstudies.org/sites/prisonstudies.org/files/resources/downloads/wfil_2nd_edition.pdf Shelf Number: 135417 Keywords: Female Inmates Female OffendersFemale Prisoners |
Author: United Nations Title: Handbook on Women and Imprisonment. 2nd edition, with reference to the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (The Bangkok Rules) Summary: The present Handbook forms part of a series of tools developed by The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to support countries in implementing the rule of law and the development of criminal justice reform. It is designed to be used by all actors involved in the criminal justice system, including policymakers, legislators, prison managers, prison staff, members of non-governmental organizations and other individuals interested or active in the field of criminal justice and prison reform. It can be used in a variety of contexts, both as a reference document and as a training tool. What the Handbook covers The main focus of the Handbook is female prisoners and guidance on the components of a gender-sensitive approach to prison management, taking into account the typical background of female prisoners and their special needs as women in prison (chapters 1 and 2). Three special categories of female prisoners have been included in chapter 2 of the Handbook: pretrial detainees, foreign national women and girls in prison (sections 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3). These three groups were selected because their vulnerability and special needs are particularly pronounced due to the cumulative effects of their status and gender. However, it is important to note that, according to Convention on the Rights of the Child-a legally binding instrument that most States have ratified or acceded to-States should only deprive a child of his or her liberty as a measure of last resort and for the shortest possible period of time (Art. 37 (b) CRC). In addition, girls and boys deprived of their liberty should be dealt with by a specialized juvenile justice system that promotes alternative measures to formal judicial institutionalization of girls should be avoided to the maximum possible extent, and separate strategies and policies in accordance with international standards need to be designed for the treatment and rehabilitation of this category of prisoners. The distinctive needs of minorities and indigenous peoples in terms of their access to gender and culture specific programmes and services are covered in chapter 2, as relevant. For more detailed guidance on the needs of women prisoners from ethnic and racial minority groups and indigenous peoples, as well as other groups, such as older women prisoners, women with disabilities and women under sentence of death, the reader should refer to the UNODC Handbook on Prisoners with Special Needs, which covers the needs of such prisoners, men and women. Reference will need to be made to both handbooks, when dealing with the situation of such categories of female prisoners. In view of the significant rise in the rate of women's imprisonment in many countries worldwide, the Handbook also provides an overview of measures that could be taken to reduce the female prison population (chapter 3). It puts forward some recommendations, taking into consideration the most common offences which lead to women's imprisonment and the harmful effects of imprisonment on the social reintegration of a large majority of female offenders. It must be emphasized that this section of the Handbook does not provide a comprehensive examination of the reasons for the growing rate of women's imprisonment in different regions and countries, nor detailed guidelines on how this challenge may be addressed in different contexts. Neither does it provide a thorough overview of the impact of women's imprisonment on their children, though this is a key concern that is repeatedly highlighted in the Handbook. It covers some of the issues that stand out in relation to women's increasing imprisonment, and a number of measures that can reduce their rate of incarceration, when it does not serve the purposes of justice or social reintegration. By highlighting and drawing attention to some key issues, this chapter aims to generate further research and the development of policies and strategies to reduce the female prison population in different countries and regions worldwide. In this context, readers may also wish to consult the UNODC Handbook of Basic Principles and Promising Practices on Alternatives to Imprisonment, the UNODC Handbook on Restorative Justice Programmes and the UNODC Handbook on Strategies to Reduce Overcrowding in Prisons, for further practical guidance. Recognizing the shortage of information on the background and characteristics of women offenders in many countries, chapter 4 addresses the need for research, planning, evaluation, public awareness-raising and training. This area is considered essential to improve the knowledge base about women offenders, to develop strategies and policies to best meet the needs of women offenders and their children, and to The United Nations General Assembly resolution on human rights in the administration of justice, adopted on 22 December 2003 called for increased attention to be devoted to the issue of women in prison, including the children of women in prison, with a view to identifying the key problems and ways in which they can be addressed. The United Nations General Assembly resolution 61/143 on the intensification of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women, adopted on 19 December 2006, stressed that 'violence against women' means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including ... arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life", and urged States, among others, "[t]o review and, where appropriate, revise, amend or abolish all laws, regulations, policies, practices and customs that discriminate against women or have a discriminatory impact on women, and ensure that provisions of multiple legal systems, where they exist, comply with international human rights obligations, commitments and principles, including the principle of non-discrimination"; "[t]o take positive measures to address structural causes of violence against women and to strengthen prevention efforts that address discriminatory practices and social norms, including with regard to women who need special attention ... such as ... women in institutions or in detention...", among others; and to provide training and capacity-building on gender equality and women's rights for law enforcement personnel and the judiciary, among others. This Handbook aims to assist legislators, policymakers, prison managers, staff and non-governmental organizations to implement the provisions of the Bangkok Rules as well as the resolutions and recommendations of the United Nations to address the gender-specific needs of women prisoners. It also aims to increase the awareness about the profile of female offenders and to suggest ways in which to reduce their unnecessary imprisonment by rationalizing legislation and criminal justice policies, and by providing a wide range of alternatives to prison at all stages of the criminal justice process. Details: New York: UNODC, 2014. 162p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 1, 2015 at: http://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prison-reform/women_and_imprisonment_-_2nd_edition.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prison-reform/women_and_imprisonment_-_2nd_edition.pdf Shelf Number: 135445 Keywords: Correctional AdministrationFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersGender-Specific ResponsesPrison Administration |
Author: Borden, Barbara Ann Title: Summary: This study examined the impact of risk factors and existing federal sentencing policies and practices on the likelihood of recidivism for female white collar offenders. The research combined and expanded prior literature on female offending, white collar crime, and recidivism, by creating a "profile" of the female white collar offender, identifying risk factors of recidivism from female offending and feminist pathways literature present in the population of federal female white collar offenders, and informing revision of current federal sentencing policies that result in the imposition of unnecessarily harsh sanctions for this group of low-risk, first-time (and likely one-time), female offenders. No prior studies have applied theories of feminist pathways offending to recidivism by female white collar offenders. Data from a recent national data set of offenders who began a term of federal probation or supervised release between October 1, 2004 and September 30, 2007 were used to provide a fresh look at female white collar offenders sentenced after implementation of the mandatory United States Sentencing Guidelines, but before judicial discretion was returned to federal sentencing courts by the United States Supreme Court. Overall, the study found that female white collar offenders are plagued by risks of recidivism common to all types of female offenders, including those recognized in pathways literature, and their profile more closely resembles the female offender than the public's image of a "white collar" offender. Details: Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma, 2014. 164p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: https://shareok.org/bitstream/handle/11244/13389/2014_Borden_Barbara_A_Dissertation.pdf?sequence=2 Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: https://shareok.org/bitstream/handle/11244/13389/2014_Borden_Barbara_A_Dissertation.pdf?sequence=2 Shelf Number: 135501 Keywords: Female OffendersPunishmentRecidivismSentencingWhite Collar Offenders (U.S.) |
Author: Denman, Kristine Title: Prison Program Utilization and Recidivism among Female Inmates in New Mexico Summary: Successful reintegration into the community after prison is of great import for both offenders and the public as nearly all prisoners will eventually return to the community. Current estimates indicate that the number of individuals incarcerated nationally in 2013 was 1,574,700, up slightly from 2012 (Glaze and Kaeble, 2014). While females consistently comprised approximately 7% of the total number of individuals incarcerated in state facilities nationally between 2000 and 2013, the rate at which the population of females in state custody grew exceeded that of males (21% between 2000 and 2010 versus 15% of males during the same time period) (ibid). Unfortunately, the majority of former prisoners recidivate. Among a national sample of prisoners released in 2005, over two-thirds were re-arrested within three years of release and nearly 77% were re-arrested within five years; recidivism was highest for property offenders (Durose, Cooper, and Snyder, 2014). While females were re-arrested at lower rates than males, 68% of females were re-arrested five years post-release (ibid). New Mexico has consistently experienced an increase in its female prison population over the past several years. In 2011, the female prison population exceeded the prison capacity, forcing the women to temporarily use a segregated pod at the nearby men's prison. Since fiscal year 2010, the women's prison population jumped by nearly 14% (NMSC, 2014). In response, the New Mexico Women's Correctional Facility (NMWCF) increased its bed capacity to 744 to accommodate the additional inmates. This is not the first time, though, that New Mexico experienced such increases in its female population. Indeed, in response to a burgeoning population, in 2003 the NMCD initiated a gender-responsive model aimed at promoting successful female reentry through appropriate programming (Carr, 2007). Prison programming is important for inmates. Many enter prison with deficiencies in their education, job histories, and in other aspects of their personal lives. Indeed, appropriate in-prison programming can help prisoners successfully reintegrate into society. Details: Albuquerque, NM: New Mexico Statistical Analysis Center, 2015. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 23, 2015 at: http://isr.unm.edu/reports/2015/prison-program-utilization-and-recidivism-among-female-inmates-in-new-mexico.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://isr.unm.edu/reports/2015/prison-program-utilization-and-recidivism-among-female-inmates-in-new-mexico.pdf Shelf Number: 135768 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersGender-Specific ProgramsPrisoner ReentryRecidivism |
Author: Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission Title: Unfinished business: Koori women and the justice system Summary: It has been 20 years since the report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and, sadly, in that time the proportion of Australian prisoners that are Indigenous has almost doubled. In Victoria, the over-representation of Koori people in prison, women in particular, has also increased dramatically in the last few years. Research shows once they have had contact with justice system, they are very likely to reoffend and return to prison. Around 80 per cent of the Koori women in prison are mothers, so their imprisonment not only removes them from the community - it removes their children from them. This increases the likelihood of their children entering out-of-homecare, which is in turn one of the biggest risk factors for them one day coming in contact with the justice system themselves. The longer term effects of this are profound, on the women, their families and their children. In the shorter term they are compounded by the lack of pre-prison diversionary options and support postrelease and in the inability to access employment or education or find safe and affordable housing for themselves and their children. Without these things the risk of re-offending is significantly higher. Details: Carlton, Victoria: Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, 2013. 126p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 26, 2015 at: https://interactivepdf.uniflip.com/2/87691/311342/pub/document.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: https://interactivepdf.uniflip.com/2/87691/311342/pub/document.pdf Shelf Number: 129679 Keywords: AboriginalsChildren of PrisonersFamilies of InmatesFemale InmatesFemale OffendersIndigenous PeoplesWomen Prisoners |
Author: McDermott, Shelly-Ann Title: Moving forward: empowering women to desist from offending Summary: This qualitative research explores women's experiences of empowerment, desistance and compliance. The study engages directly with seven women sentenced to woman--specific court orders delivered within London Probation. The individual and group interview data were analysed using the template analysis technique (King). The key finding is that women who offend require practical assistance alongside confidence--building support in order to move away from criminal activity. Furthermore, provision should clearly delineate between criminal justice (focused on risk and punishment) and social support (that is individualized and holistic) in order to promote desistance (SETF, 2009). Funding services in a sustainable manner would facilitate women's continued access to provisions within mainstream settings that last beyond short--lived court sentences (Gelsthorpe et al., 2007). Crucially, early and preventive interventions can effectively empower women to overcome underlying problems and pursue conventional lifestyles (SETF, 2009; Sommers et al., 2004). Details: London: Griffins Society, 2012. 75p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Paper 2012/02: Accessed May 27, 2015 at: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/Research%20Paper%202012-02.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/Research%20Paper%202012-02.pdf Shelf Number: 129827 Keywords: DesistanceFemale OffendersFemale ProbationersGender- Specific ProgramsRehabilitationTreatment Programs |
Author: Owens, Elizabeth Title: Exploring the experiences of Minority Ethnic Women in Resettlement: What role, if any, does ethnic culture play in the resettlement of Black (African-Caribbean) women offenders in the UK? Summary: The aim of this research project was to explore the experiences of black and minority ethnic women in resettlement in order to form a picture of resettlement from their perspective and to determine what, if any, role ethnic culture played in resettlement. Four questions were formed as guidance to achieve this aim: 1. What are the resettlement needs of minority ethnic women? 2. What role does ethnic culture play in the resettlement of African, Caribbean, Black and mixed (within these groups) women in the UK? 3. How do minority ethnic women access and understand resettlement services? Is this influenced by their ethnic culture? If yes, to what degree, and how? 4. How are some providers successfully engaging these women? What are the 'challenging' areas to work on in making services accessible and meaningful to these women? Current literature on the topic is focused on the experiences of minority ethnic women in the criminal justice system and resettlement is largely neglected. There is a lack of data on minority ethnic women in the criminal justice system in general, but particularly in regard to resettlement. Official reports and consultations stress the need for identification and evidence of minority ethnic women's experiences. Through semi‐ structured interviews with minority ethnic women in resettlement and service providers providing resettlement support to minority ethnic women, participants were asked to share their experiences. Ethnic culture was not identified by the sample as a primary concern in resettlement. Rather, both women in resettlement and service providers were more concerned with meeting 'general primary needs' that are broadly shared by individuals in resettlement, such as housing, income and child issues. In spite of this, all the participants felt that minority ethnic women had unique and different needs in resettlement than those of their white counterparts. Details: London: The Griffins Society, 2010. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Paper 2010/01: Accessed May 27, 2015 at: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/documents/Research_Paper_2010_01.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/documents/Research_Paper_2010_01.pdf Shelf Number: 129826 Keywords: Ethnic GroupsFemale OffendersMinority GroupsReentryResettlement |
Author: Gavrilova, Evelina Title: Uncovering the Gender Participation Gap in the Crime Market Summary: Using data from the U.S. National Incident Based Reporting System we document a gender gap in the number of crimes committed in the property crime market: only 30% of the crimes are committed by women. Starting from the classical Becker's model on crime we investigate some potential reasons for the participation gap looking at the differential incentives, measured in terms of earnings and probability of arrest. We observe that women obtain on average 32% less criminal earnings and face a 10% higher probability of arrest with respect to males. Once we account for type of crime and the attributes of offending, such as weapons, we find that the earnings gap is zero on average, while females still face a 1% higher probability of arrest than males. We also observe that females sort into offense types, characterized by a lower variation in the earnings risk, which reveals that females in the crime market are more risk averse than males. Furthermore, we analyze the participation gap by looking at the perceived incentives. We estimate the elasticities of crime with respect to the expected earnings and to the expected probability of not being arrested for both genders. We find that males respond to both these incentives, while females respond less to the incentive for higher earnings than males and they do not respond to the probability of arrest. Finally, we use a Blinder-Oaxaca type decomposition technique to measure crime differentials between females and males that arise due to different responses to incentives. We find that, in a counter factual scenario where the female elasticities increase to the level of the male ones, women would commit 40% more crimes than they actually do, reducing the male-female participation gap by almost 50%. Details: Bonn: Institute for the Study of Labor, 2015. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: IZA Discussion Paper No. 8982: Accessed July 20, 2015 at: http://ftp.iza.org/dp8982.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://ftp.iza.org/dp8982.pdf Shelf Number: 136111 Keywords: Crime StatisticsFemale OffendersProceeds of CrimeProperty Crimes |
Author: Stewart, Lynn Title: Effective interventions for Women offenders: A Rapid Evidence Assessment Summary: This summary presents the findings of a review of the evidence of what interventions, and targets for intervention, reduce women's reoffending. The review also examines evidence of factors that promote desistance from crime. The review was commissioned to assist the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) in designing an evidence-based commissioning strategy by summarising the evidence base into "what works" to address key areas. Key findings - Evidence suggests that the following reduces women's offending: (1) substance abuse treatment, in particular in-custody or hierarchical therapeutic community programmes that apply a cognitive-behavioural intervention focusing on skill development; (2) a gender-responsive cognitive-behavioural programme that emphasises existing strengths and competencies, as well as skills acquisition; (3) community opioid maintenance, which may reduce offending rates while the women are in treatment; (4) booster programmes that assist in maintaining treatment effects through community follow-up, which appear to contribute to improved outcomes; (5) gender-responsive approaches, which show promise relative to gender-neutral programmes. - Appropriate treatment targets for women offenders overlap with those of male offenders. Factors found to be consistently related to women's recidivism are: antisocial personality (problems with impulse control, emotion regulation and hostility), antisocial peers, antisocial attitudes and substance abuse. Targeting offenders with the most serious levels of substance abuse for treatment should be part of any strategy to reduce women's criminality. - Women's violent crime, including partner assault, is associated with alcohol abuse; acquisitive crime and soliciting are related to serious drug abuse. Very little research examines the effectiveness of programmes in reducing women's violence. - Serious mental health issues are associated with violent offending among some women offender samples. For these women, mental health needs must be stabilised prior to participation in programmes that address criminogenic need. - A prosocial personal identity may permit women to take advantage of potential opportunities to establish desistance from crime. This suggests that interventions that use motivational, solution-focused techniques, encouraging women to seek their own meaningful "hooks" for lifestyle change, could promote desistance. - Programmes for women offenders may be particularly effective if they focus on higher-risk offenders. - Single-target programmes focusing only on reducing the effects of trauma do not appear to contribute to reductions in women's reoffending. Details: London: National Offender Management Service, 2015. 7p. Source: Internet Resource: Analytical Summary: Accessed July 30, 2015 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/448859/effective-interventions-for-women-offenders.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/448859/effective-interventions-for-women-offenders.pdf Shelf Number: 136260 Keywords: DesistanceFemale OffendersGender-Specific ProgramsRecidivismRehabilitationTreatment Programs |
Author: Rubenfeld, Sara Title: Assessment of the Women's Violence Prevention Program Summary: Acknowledging a need for programming that would target the needs of repeatedly violent women offenders, the CSC developed WVPP. The goal of WVPP was to help women develop lifestyles that would be incompatible with violence and would therefore reduce their risk to re-offend violently. The current study is an assessment of the pilot phase of the WVPP. Results show that the Women's Violence Prevention Program (WVPP) was successfully implemented and that participants benefited in a number of areas. However, institutional adjustment did not appear to improve after program participation. Release outcomes were also examined; however, low-base rates of reoffending and limited follow-up precluded our ability to draw conclusive findings regarding the impact of WVPP on release outcomes at this time. In fiscal year 2010-2011, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) began implementing a new continuum of correctional programming for women. Given this new direction in program offerings, WVPP is no longer offered to women as it has been replaced by the High Intensity streams of the Women Offender Correctional Program (WOCP) and Aboriginal Women Offender Correctional Program (AWOCP). However, many of the skills, program material, and framework in the High Intensity Program are based upon and are similar to the WVPP; therefore, results continue to be relevant. Despite the similarities, the High Intensity Program is lengthier and of greater intensity, which may be better suited to the needs of violent women offenders than the WVPP. What we found Results of the pre- and post-program assessment battery and participant feedback reflected positively on the program. These results revealed significant differences in women's scores before and after completing WVPP. Specifically, upon completing the program, there was a decrease in women's expression of anger, hostility, and aggression; an increase in problem-solving and decision-making ability; and a decrease in criminal values and attitudes. Participants' feedback reflected positively on aspects relating to the program content, delivery, and program facilitators. Less favourable results emerged concerning women's involvement in minor and major institutional misconduct before and after programming. There were increases seen in the rate of minor institutional misconducts from six months before the program to six months after completing the program. The less favourable results in this area may be attributed to issues of offenders' responsivity (i.e. motivation) or program intensity (violent behavior may be best targeted through high intensity programs). Similarly, the program did not appear to impact release outcomes, although this could be attributable to the length of follow-up and low overall rates of reoffending rather than program efficacy. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2014. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. R-330: Accessed August 10, 2015 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0330-eng.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/005/008/092/005008-0330-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 136380 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersPrisoner MisconductViolence PreventionViolent Offenders |
Author: Beaudette, Janelle Title: Aboriginal Women: Profile and Changing Population Summary: Examinations over a ten-year period demonstrate that Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women differ on many indicators of correctional outcomes and that First Nations and Metis women also exhibit differences between groups. These patterns are being used as a starting point for a broader examination of First Nations and Metis women's social histories and correctional experiences. Findings from this study can assist the Correctional Service of Canada's (CSC) policy and practices specific to Aboriginal women. That said, the patterns revealed in this study also reflect women's lives prior to incarceration. As such, a comprehensive approach involving both government and community stakeholders would likely be most effective in contributing to closing the gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women that are present at admission. What we found Overall, Aboriginal women's profiles were more criminogenic, meaning they presented with more factors related to crime, than non-Aboriginal women's profiles, with relatively few significant changes over time. Differences between First Nations and Metis women were less consistent, although First Nations women tended to have more criminogenic backgrounds. Aboriginal women tended to be younger and to have lower levels of education at admission than their non-Aboriginal counterparts. Over the study period, First Nations women were more likely than Metis or non-Aboriginal women to be serving an indeterminate sentence and to be convicted of a violent offence. The levels of risk and need of First Nations and Metis women were similar; the static risk and criminogenic need of these two groups were assessed as higher than that of their non-Aboriginal counterparts. Both First Nations and Metis women were found to present particularly high levels of criminogenic need relating to substance abuse, employment, and the personal/emotional domain. When considering release, Aboriginal women's rates of discretionary release (that is, day or full parole) were lower than those of non-Aboriginal women. While Metis women's rates of discretionary release were similar to those of non-Aboriginal women in 2003-05, these rates decreased to join those of First Nations women by the end of the study period. Why we did this study Aboriginal offenders are over-represented in the Canadian federal correctional system, with Aboriginal women in particular representing the fastest growing group of offenders. The purpose of the study was to support future policy initiatives and decision-making by contributing a more complete understanding of Aboriginal women offenders' characteristics, as well as changing patterns over time. The findings will guide a larger body of research being conducted on Aboriginal women under federal jurisdiction. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2014. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. R-341: Accessed August 10, 2015 at: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/research/005008-r341-eng.shtml Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/research/005008-r341-eng.shtml Shelf Number: 136382 Keywords: AboriginalsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale Prisoners |
Author: Ipsos MORI Scotland Title: Evaluation of Shine Women's Mentoring Service Summary: Shine is a Public Social Partnership which provides a one-to-one mentoring service for women who are serving short-term prison sentences, on remand, or subject to Community Payback Orders and at a high risk of custody. The service is designed to empower women to identify and achieve their goals - and to engage with other services which can help them do that. The ultimate aim is to help reintegrate women who offend back into the community and reduce reoffending. The Scottish Government Reducing Reoffending Change Fund provided funding for the design and development of the service (in 2012) and for the running of the service from April 2013 to March 2017. Evaluation objectives Shine commissioned Ipsos MORI Scotland to evaluate: - levels of participation in the service - whether the activities in the service logic model had been undertaken as planned - whether mentors felt equipped to deliver the activities to a high standard - progress against short and medium term outcomes. In addition, the evaluation explored 'what is mentoring?' and what might increase engagement. Evaluation Methods The evaluation was based on: - quantitative data on outcomes - qualitative depth interviews with mentees; mentors; prison champions; and Criminal Justice Social Workers who were referrers/potential referrers to the service. The fieldwork was conducted between July 2014 and January 2015. Key findings Over the first 20 months, there has been an average of 727 referrals to Shine per year. There is evidence that a considerable proportion of mentees made progress on short and medium term outcomes. This should contribute in the long term to reduced reoffending and increased integration. Shine's targets of 60% of those who engage with the service achieving improved motivation to change behaviour and 60% achieving increased engagement with other services have been met. One of the main strengths of the service is that it is personalised and tailored to the needs and goals of the individual mentee. Because of this personalisation, activities vary considerably from case to case but the following qualities, skills and behaviours were key to building relationships and were consistently demonstrated by mentors: regular contact; being non-judgmental; being easy-going; being a relaxing, calming influence; listening; encouraging the mentee to set goals; encouraging mentees to think through consequences; praising and building self-esteem; challenging; being persistent; caring; encouraging engagement with other services. The evaluation also identified a number of areas for improvement. These included better preparation of mentees for exit and, in some areas, better communication with local Criminal Justice Social Work teams. The Shine partnership is currently developing an improvement plan to address these issues. Details: Edinburgh: Ipsos MORI Scotland, 2015. 51p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 14, 2015 at: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/119386c3f41e3eabc47e67d04/files/Evaluation_of_the_Shine_Women_s_Mentoring_Service_FV_050215_WWW_version.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/119386c3f41e3eabc47e67d04/files/Evaluation_of_the_Shine_Women_s_Mentoring_Service_FV_050215_WWW_version.pdf Shelf Number: 136429 Keywords: Female OffendersMentoringRecidivismReoffending |
Author: Young, Suzanne Title: Gender, Policing and Social Control: Examining Police Officers' Perceptions of and. Responses to Young Women Depicted as Violent. Summary: In Britain, there have been growing concerns over the increasing female prison population and treatment of girls and women by the criminal justice system (see Carlen and Worrall, 2004; Hedderman, 2004; Batchelor, 2005; Hutson and Myers, 2006; Sharpe, 2009). In particular, there has been a rising female prison population in Scotland which has been associated with greater punitive controls over the behaviour of women (McIvor and Burman, 2011). The British press have depicted a social problem of certain young women becoming more violent and have attributed this to women's liberation, particularly in the night time economy (MacAskill and Goodwin, 2004; Gray, 2006; Evening News, 2008). These concerns have attracted widespread media and political attention leading to a steady growth in academic research exploring the apparent rise of violent young women (Burman et al., 2003; Burman, 2004b; Batchelor, 2005). Despite this, there are relatively few studies that examine responses to young women with an emphasis on violent offences. Furthermore, there is a lack of research that has examined the role police officers have played in the control and depiction of young women's violence. This research investigates the perceptions of and responses to young women depicted as violent from police officers in Scotland. Thirty three qualitative interviews were carried out with front line police officers in 2008 to investigate social control mechanisms employed to regulate the behaviour of young women. The research utilised feminist perspectives to develop an understanding of how young women deemed as violent face formal and informal mechanisms of social control from police officers. The study challenges the apparent increase in violence among young women and instead argues that institutional controls have contributed to young women being labelled as violent. Changes in police practices and zero tolerance approaches towards violence have resulted in a net widening effect that has impacted on the number of young women (and men) being brought to the attention of the police for violent offences. It is argued that this mechanism of institutional control could be a contributing factor towards the rise in the number of young women being charged for violent offences. Police discretion on the basis of gender did have an influence on arrest practices for some of the officers, but there was insufficient evidence to suggest the police officers responded any harsher or more lenient towards women. However, what was apparent was that police officers believed women needed to be 'controlled'; they perceived them as more unmanageable than men and this defiance towards authority resulted in women being arrested. Women depicted as violent remain to be categorised on the basis of socially constructed gender norms and it is argued that this mechanism of discursive control continues to locate violence within the realm of masculinity. In conclusion, women who are depicted as violent are portrayed as unfeminine and in need of greater social control which is exercised through both formal and informal measures by police officers. Details: Stirling, UK: University of Stirling, 2011. 281p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed September 11, 2015 at: http://dspace.stir.ac.uk/handle/1893/3572#.VfMkgU9FDcs Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://dspace.stir.ac.uk/handle/1893/3572#.VfMkgU9FDcs Shelf Number: 136723 Keywords: Female OffendersGender-Related ViolencePolicingViolent Crime |
Author: Ferguson, Catherine Title: Parole in Western Australia: An analysis of parole cancellations of female offenders Summary: The number of prisoners in Australian prisons has been increasing over the past decade. In Western Australia the number of female offenders has increased by 40 percent over the past five years. One contributing factor to this increase may be the re incarceration of parolees who have violated parole. This research used the publicly available decision documents from the Prisoners Review Board in Western Australia to investigate the background details of offences, and the details of the parole violations of 41 women released in 2013-14. Data revealed that a high proportion of women returned to prison after a very short time in the community as a result of illicit drug use. The high cost of re-incarceration is considered against a background of rehabilitation and extra support in the community that might assist released women negotiate their complex lives on release without resorting to further drug use. The paper includes a number of recommendations to consider in an effort to reduce the recidivism of female offenders. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2015. 7p. Source: Internet Resource: Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, No. 501: Accessed September 17, 2015 at: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi501.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi501.pdf Shelf Number: 136793 Keywords: Female OffendersParoleParole RevocationParolees |
Author: Gentzler, Kari C. Title: A Stress Process Model of Arrest among Homeless Women: Exploring Risk and Protective Factors Summary: Objective: Women constitute one of the fastest-growing segments of both the homeless and incarcerated populations. In addition, homeless women tend to have higher rates of victimization, mental illness, substance use, and criminal justice system involvement compared to non-homeless women, although this body of research is becoming dated. The current study situates homeless women's involvement in the criminal justice system within the stress process model and proposes that these factors - childhood abuse, psychiatric disorders, and homelessness - act as stressors that increase their risk of arrest. In addition, social support and self-efficacy are examined as potential protective factors that may act as buffers against arrest. Method: This study utilizes data from 159 homeless women from three U.S. cities: Omaha, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Portland, Oregon. Results: First, rates of childhood abuse and recent arrest were examined: 75% of the women had experienced some physical, verbal, or sexual abuse during childhood and 20% of the women had been arrested in the year prior to the study. Bivariate logistic regression results indicated that childhood sexual abuse was a significant correlate of recent arrests. Next, stressors related to mental illness, substance use, and women's experiences while homeless were tested as mediators of the focal relationship. Drug dependence disorder and victimization experienced while homeless emerged as significant mediators in the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and arrest. Finally, social support and self-efficacy were explored as moderating resources. These protective factors, however, were unrelated to recent arrest and did not modify the relationship between psychiatric disorders or homelessness stressors and arrest. Conclusions: The current study supports the stress process model as a valid framework for studying risk and protective factors for arrest among homeless women. Stressors experienced early in life, such as childhood sexual abuse, give rise to stressors in other life domains and lead to maladaptive outcomes. Results of the current study provide evidence for the ongoing criminalization of mental illness and homelessness in contemporary society. Details: Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2014. 110p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed September 17, 2015 at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1032&context=sociologydiss Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1032&context=sociologydiss Shelf Number: 136804 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseFemale OffendersHomeless PersonsMental Illness |
Author: Aulakh, Harpreet Kaur Title: The social and legal context of female youth crime : a study of girls in gangs Summary: Given the relative lack of information about female gang membership in Canada and the hidden nature of this population, a qualitative approach for understanding the lives of female gang members, through a life course perspective guided by feminist standpoint epistemology is utilized in this dissertation. The data for this study are obtained from interviews with fifteen girls and young women who claimed youth gang membership in their lives, from the cities of Saskatoon and Edmonton. .The critical feminist perspective serves as the theoretical framework for this study. It directs us to an understanding in which girls are regarded as active agents in their own lives and who are striving to better their lives albeit with the limited options available to them in the face of locally available constructions of opportunity and possibility. The analyses reflect the lived experiences of the respondents and illuminate the ways in which the personal troubles and daily lives of respondents are explicitly overshadowed by larger public issues. Through critical analysis, this study draws attention to the ways in which girls' experiences of ageism, racism, classism, and sexism interact, resulting in social exclusion, isolation from social institutions, and a subsequent involvement with youth gangs. The study reveals a heterogeneity of respondents' experiences especially with respect to being treated as equals by their male counterparts. From the analysis, it is evident that gangs are highly gendered groups in which gender hierarchies force girls to find ways both to create personas of toughness and independence through participation in violent activities yet also to display appropriate feminine behaviours of sexually non-promiscuous females. Importantly, the decisions to leave the gang are triggered by the negative affects of gang life. Once out of the gang, the girls under study seemed to refocus their efforts toward educational opportunities and obtaining job-related skills. In the end, my research indicates that awareness about the dangers of gang life including the negative consequences of gang membership need to form a core of prevention programs, especially those designed for younger girls and children. Details: Saskatoon: University of Saskatchewan, 2008. 241p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed September 24, 2015 at: http://ecommons.usask.ca/bitstream/handle/10388/etd-04072008-123725/Thesis.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2008 Country: Canada URL: http://ecommons.usask.ca/bitstream/handle/10388/etd-04072008-123725/Thesis.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 136864 Keywords: Female Gang MembersFemale OffendersGangs |
Author: Goel, Rashmi Title: Women Who Kill Women Summary: This article focuses on the phenomenon of women who kill women in the context of India's dowry murders. Killing by females is rare, and killing of other females is rarer still. India's dowry deaths, where mothers-in-law are, next to husbands, the most accused and convicted, represents a unique opportunity to examine the mechanics around women who kill, especially in the context of a gender violence crime. The article examines both the roots of the dowry system and the current anti-dowry and dowry-violence legislation to demonstrate the implicit and accepted gender inequities within marriage that serve to under gird an overall system of female oppression within the marital relationship. This inequity is understood to be a positive aspect within marriage, but ironically negative within public Indian society. The article then considers various theories of agency and motivation from social science and feminist literature to answer why some women participate in oppressing other women in Indian society. Finally, the article notes some of the ways in which Indian courts are contributing to the oppressive power structure by limiting the application of the anti-dowry and dowry-violence laws. Details: Denver, CO: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2015. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: University of Denver Legal Studies Research Paper No. 15-22: Accessed October 15, 2015 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2668379 Year: 2015 Country: India URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2668379 Shelf Number: 136986 Keywords: DowryFemale OffendersGender-Based ViolenceHomicidesMarriageViolence Against WomenWomen Who Kill |
Author: Robinson, Gill Title: 'From Vision to Reality -- Transforming Scotland's Care of Women in Custody' Summary: The Symposium was held in Edinburgh on 27-29 May 2015. It brought together 58 academics and expert practitioners from across the UK, Europe and Canada together with stakeholders from Scotland (see Appendix A). The purpose of the symposium was: to engage in professional debate based upon international research and best practice to address identified key issues and so inform the emerging Scottish Government proposals for the future custodial estate for women. Its task was: to produce evidence and advice on practice to inform future thinking on the development and implementation of a Scottish Approach to the custody of women. 1.2 Background and context The Cabinet Secretary for Justice had announced in January 2015 that "the current plans for a prison for women in Inverclyde should not go ahead. It does not fit with my vision of how a modern and progressive country should be addressing female offending. We need to be bolder and take a more radical and ambitious approach in Scotland". At the time of the symposium, therefore, the Scottish Government and Scottish Prison Service were engaged in consultation and rethinking their approach to the custody of women. The recent history relating to the custody of women in Scotland was set out in the pre-symposium pack which can be found at www.sps.gov.uk/corporate/information/women-in-custody.aspx. The pack also contains detailed statistics about the population and characteristics of women in custody in Scotland (such as offences, sentence length, age, health, drug and alcohol use and home area). In summary, at the time of the symposium, there were 400 women in custody in Scotland in four prisons, with 100 of the women being on remand. At the time there was a proposition that the future women's custodial estate would include a small national facility for women who pose a high risk to themselves or to the community, a separate facility for young women, and a range of smaller, regional and local facilities which could include community-based residential facilities. Subsequently, on 22 June 2015, the Cabinet Secretary announced that "a new small national prison with 80 places would be created, alongside five smaller community-based custodial units each accommodating up to 20 women across the country". "The smaller community-based custodial units will provide accommodation as women serve out their sentence, with access to intensive support to help overcome issues such as alcohol, drugs, mental health and domestic abuse trauma which evidence shows can often be a driver of offending behaviour. The units will be located in areas close to the communities of female offenders so that family contact can be maintained. "There will also be more use of community-based alternatives to short-term prison sentences, including restricting liberty through the increased use of electronic monitoring, combined with support in the community, and more funding will be made available for community-based services which provide robust and effective alternatives to custody." 1.3 Symposium programme, themes and processes The programme is provided as Appendix B. On day 1, participants were offered the opportunity to visit HM Prison & Young Offenders' Institution (HMP&YOI) Cornton Vale to meet prisoners and staff and learn about current facilities, practice and support for women in custody there. The activities on days 2 and 3 involved plenary and group presentations and discussions on the following themes: - New approaches to custody for women: learning from progressive policies and practices - Services working together to support women before, during and after custody - Assessment to support decisions about a woman's needs and where she should be placed - Young women (16-21) and custody - Family and social ties - Best practice in working with women in custody - Implementing a vision for progressive change, and sustaining it The symposium used a deliberative approach, seeking to understand different social, legal and policy contexts and probing practice and policy across different jurisdictions. Keynote speakers addressed the first and last of these themes. The other five themes were considered in workshop groups. Each group heard and discussed video clips from women currently in custody and presentations from academics and practitioners. The group then identified key evidence, issues and advice which they presented to the group as a whole, followed by plenary discussions to explore issues and add further examples of practice or evidence. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Prison Service, 2015. 92p. Source: Internet Resource: Women's Symposium Report: Accessed October 18, 2015 at: http://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Publications/Publication-3592.aspx Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Publications/Publication-3592.aspx Shelf Number: 137002 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersFemale Prisoners |
Author: Brennan, Iain Title: An experimental evaluation of an adult female triage pilot project Summary: Executive Summary: - The evaluation found a 46% reduction in the rearrest rate over a 12 month follow-up period when compared to a control group of similar female offenders. - The rearrest rate was 13.64% for women referred on to the intervention compared to 25.44% for women who were processed through the criminal justice system as usual. - Those women who were referred to the intervention and attended their appointment with TWP where less likely to be rearrested and went longer without rearrest than those women who were referred but did not attend their appointments. - The pilot project is unique insofar as it provides an early-diversion scheme for adult female offenders. - The pilot project used a modified version a youth triage assessment tool to screen low-severity adult female offenders detained in the custody suite for suitability to an early-diversion intervention. - The primary goal of the pilot project was to reduce reoffending rates amongst low-severity female offenders by offering a 'one-chance-only' opportunity to receive empowerment support work with Together Women's Project (TWP) rather than the more usual charge or caution. - The evaluation employed a natural experiment methodology and included eligible arrestees from December 2012 to July 2013 with a reoffending follow-up period of 12 months. - The evaluation used a combination of interviews, observations and documentary analysis to support and inform the statistical analysis of reoffending rates. - For the small number of women referred to the intervention who were subsequently rearrested they were rearrested more frequently than those women in the control group. The reasons for this are unknown but could be due to either assessment errors early in the project's lifespan or unknown risk factors in the women's history. - This suggests the intervention may not be suitable for a sub-group of female offenders and a further follow-up study should be undertaken to investigate this further. - A further evaluation with a larger sample who could be randomly assigned the intervention would be required to conclusively demonstrate the effectiveness of the intervention. Details: Hull, Yorkshire, UK: University of Hull, Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2015. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 27, 2015 at: http://library.college.police.uk/docs/Police-Female-Triage-Report-Hull-University-2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://library.college.police.uk/docs/Police-Female-Triage-Report-Hull-University-2015.pdf Shelf Number: 137149 Keywords: Alternatives to IncarcerationDiversion ProgramFemale OffendersInterventionsRe-arrestRecidivism |
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Country Office Pakistan Title: Female Drug Use in Pakistan: Mapping Estimates, Ethnographic Results and Behavioural Assessment Summary: This study is a part of the overall operational research which includes mapping and size estimation of female drug users, which forms the first key step in developing targeted interventions for this highly vulnerable key population. The results of this mapping study will assist in understanding the drug using scenario among female populations, which will ultimately form a baseline for service provision based on which service providing organizations will develop targeted interventions within a specific geographical setting. In addition to identification of geographical areas where these populations congregate, this study also provides valuable information on overall drug use situation in the targeted communities, economics of drug use, treatment history, criminal justice history, availability of treatment services and various religious and cultural barriers to accessing information and services among the target group. The entire approach focused around involvement of the target community individuals, peer groups and key stakeholders of the project. Although data was collected by an independent research team, the project staff including peer group was involved in the data collection process. The basic approach was largely based on a geographic mapping approach which identified key locations where key population members were found and quantified. In addition to identifying the key locations, individual drug users were contacted through peer group members and supplemented by tracing contact chains from identified drug users to reaching other drug using females in a given location. This study was conducted in all cities where subsequently a service delivery programme through the project "HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care for FDUs and injecting drug users", was to be placed. After distributing each target site into zone, information on drug using populations was collected through Tertiary and Secondary Key Informants in each Zone to generate a list of Spots where FDUs could be found in this phase. Various drug treatment centers and rehabilitation programs in each city were also visited to obtain contacts of FDUs in that community. Pharmacies were also visited and information was gathered about various females, who have been buying non prescription drugs regularly. In addition locations where drug users could be found including graveyards, open spaces, shrines, darbars etc., were also visited. The basic objective in Phase one was to develop an exhaustive list of all FDUs in all zones within each city, which was later validated in Phase 02, by visiting each spot and interviewing female drug users and asking for contacts of their peers involved with drug use. Once contact information for other FDUs was provided by a subject, the social mobilizers along with the field team members traced that subject, and an interview with that subject was subsequently conducted. The mapping study was followed by behavioral assessment, and the main data collection strategy involved face to face in-depth interviews of randomly selected FDUs in each site. A total number of 1,391 interviews were conducted in all 13 cities under study, and information obtained through these interviews was recorded in a pre-designed, pretested questionnaire. Data management was done by the data management team, and questionnaires after field editing were double entered in a data base designed in MS Access. Data set was thoroughly edited and cleaned, and data analysis was conducted using statistical software SPSS version 12.00. A total number of 3,538 interviews were conducted with both Secondary and Primary Key Informants. Based on the data collected during Phase I and validated in Phase II, an estimated number of 4,632 FDUs spread over 2,479 locations were estimated in the 13 cities where mapping was conducted. As expected, the highest number of FDUs was estimated to be 1,213 in Karachi, followed by Lahore and Faisalabad, where the numbers were 593 and 511 respectively. On an average 1.8 - 1.7 FDUs were reported from a single location, and 65.2% of the locations reported having a single FDU present. Unlike male drug users who congregate and use drugs with other drug users, drug use is a discreet, hidden and more of an individual activity for female drug users. Charas was the most common drug used by FDUs all over the country and 28% of the interviewed drug users reported that they used it in the last one month. Bhang was the next drug of choice reported, which was used by 14.2% of the FDUs interviewed. A fairly high proportion of females (13.6%) also reported to be using Heroin, while use of Pharmaceutical drugs was reported by 12.6% of drug users. Our study confirmed the available anecdotal information, that injecting is not a common route of drug intake among drug using females. A total of 71 female injecting drug users (FIDUs) were identified among the total estimated number of 4,632 FDUs, which calculated a prevalence of 1.5% of IDU among female drug users. Further to this, injecting drugs was reported from only 05 cities out of the 13 cities surveyed. For behavioral assessments, a total number of 1,391 interviews were conducted. The mean age of the FDUs who participated in this study was reported to be 32.8 - 9.6 yrs (median 32 yrs), while the maximum proportion (nearly 72%) of the drug users were between 21 to 40 yrs of age. Majority of the FDUs were illiterate; 66% of the FDUs interviewed did not receive any formal schooling. Nearly 60% of the interviewed females were currently married, while 15.6% reported to be never married. The remaining 24% were either widowed, or divorced/ separated from their husbands and were living separately. Ninety one % of the subjects interviewed belonged to the same city where they were interviewed and the majority was Punjabi speaking (45.3%). Charas (Hash) was the most common drug used by FDUs all over the country and 58% of the interviewed drug users reported using it ever and also in the last six months. 42% reported that they had used it in the last month as well. Pharmaceutical drugs were the next drugs of choice followed by Heroin and Bhang. The behavioral data is in agreement with the results of the mapping study conducted in phase one, which also showed similar results on drug use and injecting drug use, which was reported from only 05 cities, with very few numbers of females reported to be injecting drugs. 41.5% of the injectors reported that they had been injected daily, while another 32% informed that they have injected at least once a week in the last 6 months. Although 30% of the injectors have been injecting alone, the remaining had been injecting in groups with other IDUs. Nearly half of the subjects informed that they had been sharing syringes with other IDUs. The mean age of 1 sexual intercourse was reported to be 18.5 - 3.7 yrs. A fairly high proportion were reported to be sexually active, with high numbers of sexual partners in the last 6 months (4.9 - 16.2), suggesting they were sexually involved with a fairly large number of men. 13.5% of the FDUs reported to have sex with another male IDUs, and 25% reported selling sex for drugs or money. Only 3.7% reported that they always used a condom during the last 6 months. Approximately 44% of the FDUs interviewed had ever heard of the disease called HIV/AIDS. Knowledge of sexual intercourse as a mode of transmission of the disease was prevalent among 40% of FSWs, but only 22% knew that HIV can be transmitted by sharp instrument/needles and syringes. 19.5% knew that HIV can spread through blood transfusion, while knowledge of mother to child transmission was still lower (9.8%). While the correct knowledge of HIV transmission was fairly low, a few misconceptions about transmission of HIV were also reported. While 17% of the respondents interviewed were aware of where they could be tested for HIV, nearly half of those had been tested for HIV. Thirty one % of the FDUs interviewed knew that there are diseases which spread because of sexual intercourse. A very low proportion (13.2%) of the respondents reported that they have been treated at least once for drug use. The maximum proportion of drug users informed that they utilized private clinical facilities for treatment. This was followed by treatment services provided by NGOs and government hospitals which were 32% and 31% respectively. Nearly 11% of the FDUs interviewed that they have tried home based treatment for drug use as well. 73% of the respondent suggested that they need to be treated and showed a willingness to participate in a treatment program if offered. Only 4.3% of the respondents reported that they were arrested for reasons such as drug use (60%), drug pushing (30%), sex work (5%) and other minor petty crimes (5%) e.g., theft etc., This study addressed some of the critical issues related to women drug use, which have not been dealt adequately in previous research conducted in Pakistan. Apparently, the problem drug use in women might appear insignificant and trivial when comparing the numbers of female drug users to the enormous number of male drug using populations in the country. However, drug use occurrence among women has an impact that goes beyond the individual and affects the entire social network of families with greater negative impacts on children. Based on the conclusions of this research, an effective targeted response is necessary in order to promote safer behavior, improve access to effective health and social services, and to address the underlying structural and occupational dimensions of vulnerability. More research is warranted to gain more in depth understating of the populations, conduct more reliable size estimations and recognize the personal, environmental and social factors which lead to drug use among women. Efforts to minimize the stigma should be given high priority. Activities which involve and facilitate collective actions, such as developing associations/unions and networks, and involving the media in a positive way should be encouraged. Families of FDUs should be focused to provide support for treatment and rehabilitation. Legal assistance should be provided to FDUs to manage drug offences, petty crime and issues of violence and harassment. There is a need to broaden the focus of existing service delivery programs to address a broad and long-term perspective, and should incorporate "community based" and "women-centered" approach. The provision of Drug abuse treatment services, comprehensive harm reduction services through developing drop in centers, and providing outreach services through use of female outreach workers should be the broad focus of these services. Special emphasis should be laid on meeting the mental health needs of the target population. Depression, isolation and a feeling of being useless is a fairly commonly characteristic shared by most women. While efforts are needed to improve the mental state of the individual, family members especially spouses need to be focused to provide a supporting mechanism for the recovering FDUs. There is a need to building the right capacity within implementing organizations which equips the staff and resource personnel to deal with the issues of drug use among female using a professional and technical approach. Finally, a monitoring and evaluation framework is desired, followed by development of tools which are more user friendly and less punitive. The entire monitoring system should be managed by a management information system to provide timely and cost effective information for decision making, and effective management of the a.m., project in a systematic and timely manner. Details: Islamabad: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Country Office Pakistan, 2010. 81p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 17, 2015 at: https://www.unodc.org/documents/pakistan//female_drugs_use.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Pakistan URL: https://www.unodc.org/documents/pakistan//female_drugs_use.pdf Shelf Number: 137308 Keywords: Drug Abuse and AddictionDrug Abuse and CrimeFemale Drug OffendersFemale OffendersGeographic AnalysisHIV |
Author: Dryden, Ruth Title: Evaluation of sixteen women's community justice services in Scotland Summary: In 2013-15, the Scottish Government funded 16 projects proposed by criminal justice partners across Scotland to develop community services for women who offend. Developments were based on existing service provision and to ensure changes could be sustained locally at the end of the funding. Funding varied in amount and timeframes. Most of the projects were undertaken by local authority criminal justice social work (CJSW) departments with partner providers, including public and third sector agencies. The national evaluation examined how the 16 women's community justice services (WCJSs) were implemented and to what extent they contributed towards positive outcomes for women. A further aim was to build local capacity for self-evaluation in WCJSs. Findings were drawn from two phases of interviews with practitioners and women, secondary documents, and quantitative data for 1,778 women who were in the WCJSs between April and December 2014. This included outcomes data for 406 women. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Government, 2015. 137p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 24, 2015 at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00484398.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00484398.pdf Shelf Number: 137319 Keywords: Alternatives to IncarcerationCommunity SentencesCommunity ServiceCommunity-Based CorrectionsFemale Offenders |
Author: Liddell Thomson Consultancy Title: The Future of the Female Custodial Estate Summary: In January 2015, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice announced that the proposed new women's prison at HMP Inverclyde would not proceed: "I've decided that the current plans for a prison for women in Inverclyde should not go ahead. It does not fit with my vision of how a modern and progressive country should be addressing female offendin. I believe we should be investing in smaller regional and community-based custodial facilities across the country, rather than a large new prison for women." Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Scottish Government Following this announcement, the Scottish Government and Scottish Prison Service developed an early proposition for the future of the female custodial estate which reflected the Cabinet Secretary's comments and the recommendations of The Commission on Women Offenders chaired by The Right Hon Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC. This proposition includes: A national unit Regional units for the West, East and North Community-based Residential Units Young women accommodated separately from the adult population In March 2015, the Scottish Government asked each of the eight Community Justice Authorities to host a regional consultation workshop in their local area. While CJAs were asked to ensure that key stakeholders from across a number of sectors were invited to attend, the events were also open to anyone interested in discussing the early detail of the proposed model for the future of the female custodial estate. These well-attended events were held in the following locations: Glasgow, Greenock, Inverness, Dundee, Airdrie, Dalkeith, Dunfermline, and Kilmarnock. Separate sessions were held with women in custody and with Scottish Prison Service staff. The views of the families and friends of women in custody were sought by telephone or face-to-face conversations conducted by Families Outside and the Shine Women's Mentoring Service. This was managed separately from the wider consultation events. More than 600 people across Scotland took part in these animated discussions, bringing their expertise, experience and passion for improving the lives of women in custody. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Government, 2015. Source: Internet Resource: Consultation Report: Accessed November 24, 2015 at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00487229.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00487229.pdf Shelf Number: 137320 Keywords: Community-Based CorrectionsFemale InmatesFemale Offenders |
Author: Robinson, Cathy Title: Women's Custodial Estate Review Summary: The commissioning of this review outlined the Government's vision for rebalancing the custodial system in England and Wales, closing small and expensive prisons, as capacity allows and replacing them with fit-for-purpose accommodation where the prisoners could best address their offending behaviour needs and prepare for release. During the course of the review the team considered not only where, but also how women are held, so that the report includes a focus on regimes provided in women's prisons. Women represent only five percent of the prison population and are held in a small number of prisons compared with men. It is therefore necessary to ensure that their small numbers do not result in less favourable treatment, through careful consideration of their particular needs. We also need to ensure that the estate is effective, affordable and sustainable. The review recommends the establishment of strategic prison hubs, located as far as possible close to major centres of population. These hubs should be of an appropriate size to serve the courts, hold women from the surrounding region and provide a range of interventions. Moreover, they should provide an appropriate physical environment to support women's caring responsibilities through family visits, which maintain and build upon relationships with children and other family members. These hubs will enable most women to remain in their closest prison throughout their sentence and will support the Government's approach to Transforming Rehabilitation through their links to Community Rehabilitation Companies and "through the gate" support for all prisoners. They will also enable a larger number of women, subject to appropriate risk assessment, to undertake work outside of prison which can be continued after their sentence and which will further support rehabilitation and maintenance of family contact and personal responsibility. The review team has considered the recommendation of Baroness Corston for small custodial units. The team agreed with the underlying argument, that women should be held in appropriate physical conditions as close to home as possible, so that they can be supported back into their communities on release. However, women's prisons provide a wide range of services, particularly in partnership with health, to those who have significant needs when they enter prison. Women's access to this support is vitally important to their rehabilitation and reducing reoffending. Details: London(?: National Offender Management Service, 2013. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 24, 2015 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/252851/womens-custodial-estate-review.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/252851/womens-custodial-estate-review.pdf Shelf Number: 131845 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersPrison ReformPrisons |
Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Country Office Pakistan Title: Females Behind Bars: Situation and Needs Assessment in Female Prisons and Barracks Summary: The Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) has listed prisoners among the four most 'at risk and neglected populations' in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The 2006 report states that "Prisons are sites for illicit drug use, unsafe injecting practices, tattooing with contaminated equipment, violence, rape and unprotected sex. Prisons are often overcrowded, have limited access to healthcare, offer poor nutrition and have high rates of airborne and blood borne diseases. Particularly women make up a very small proportion of the prison population in Pakistan and they are faced with much greater challenges than men in accessing healthcare. UNODC Pakistan, through one of its projects initiated HIV prevention services for female prisoners. The project contains significant importance as is only the project targeting female prisoners in the country. Data was collected in 09 female prisons and barracks across the country, where the project was being implemented. All females who were admitted to a female prison within the study period formed the study population. To be eligible for participation, a woman should be an inmate in one of the targeted prisons, be of 18 years of age or older, irrespective of her drug using status and risk behaviors and was willing to provide an informed consent for participation in the study. A total number of 375 subjects was calculated to be the final sample size for this study. The preliminary data available from the project suggested that a more or less 400 female prisoners existed in the prisons. Owing to the small number of female prisoners reported from these target prisons, no strict inclusion or exclusion criteria were used and all available prisoners who showed a willingness and provided consent to participate, were included in the study. Data collection was preceded by a pre-survey phase, which lasted for a couple of weeks. The supervisory staff in prisons was contacted by the field teams and were explained the objectives of the study to ensure their involvement in the study. This phase focused on answering any concerns of the prison staff and address any of their apprehensions about the study and confidentiality of data. Data collection lasted for a period of 6 weeks. The team members were lead by the project psychologist, who played a key role in data collection. Data were collected on a predesigned format which was developed through a consultative process between the project staff, the UNODC technical team and the research consultant. Data was collected in a secure room (project's counseling room) separate from the prison's main building and provided enough privacy for the interviews to be conducted smoothly without any interference. The questionnaire was of a structured format, developed to gather information on various socio-demographic, prison related information and personal characteristics of the individual herself. After the questionnaire information was collected, the interviewer answered any questions that participants had raised and registered with the project for future follow-up. After editing, all questionnaires were rechecked using a software designed in MS Access for data entry. Analysis was done using the statistical software package, SPSS version 12.0 (statistical package for social sciences). Since prisons have peculiar characteristics regarding exertion of rights, the numerous ethical issues such as voluntary participation, taking informed consent, and measures to ensure and maintain participants' confidentiality were taken into consideration during the entire length of this study. A total number of 359 interviews were conducted for this study, within the time allocated for data collection. The average age of prisoners across all prisons was reported to be 35.2 years - 12.6 (median = 32), with little variability between different prisons. The maximum proportion of prisoners interviewed were illiterate (68%) and more than half of the prisoners interviewed were married with children. Half of the women interviewed shared in the family expenses by providing some sort of financial support. 4% of the women interviewed were non Pakistanis; the maximum numbers of non-Pakistani women interviewed were from Zambia. Of the 359 women prisoners interviewed, an astounding 59% of the women were reported to be under trial. A remaining 31 (8.6%) were detained while the remaining 32.6% (117) were convicted. The maximum proportion of women was imprisoned due to crime such as murders (40%), and drug related offenses. These included using as well as possession of illegal drugs. Another issue of concern is the high number of women who were imprisoned on account of commercial sex work. Upon further inquiry 23.7% of the women stated that they had ever been imprisoned for drug related offenses, while another 15.6% informed that they had been imprisoned for commercial sex work. A fairly large proportion of women had been tobacco smokers before imprisonment and nearly half of them continued smoking even within prisons. In addition a substantial proportion of the overall female prisoner population indicated use of psychotic drugs before being imprisoned, but did not continue their drug using habit, as drugs were not available in prisons. Of the 359 women interviewed, only 22 (6.1%) reported that they had ever injected any form of drug. Further inquiry into drug injecting practices revealed that all these injections took place among the women were imprisoned. Forty five (12.5%) of the total women interviewed stated that they had faced some form of sexual harassment while in prison (not rape). Multiple sex partners were notified, with sex between various prisoners being the most common form of consensual sex seen in prisons. 52% of the women interviewed informed that they had heard of HIV and AIDS. Knowledge of sexual intercourse as a mode of transmission of the disease was prevalent among 27.3% of the women interviewed and 42% knew that HIV can be transmitted by sharp instrument/needles and syringes. 49% knew that HIV can spread through blood transfusion, while knowledge of mother to child transmission was found to be 26%. One fifth reported to have experienced an STI in the past 06 months, while 18% received proper treatment for these infections. An evaluation of the prison environment showed that unlike male prisons, overcrowding is not reported to be an issue in female prisons. The hygiene conditions in all prisons visited were far from ideal. The sanitation facilities available for prisoners varied according to various prisons or barracks. The number of wash rooms ranged from 3 to 4 prisoners per wash room to 60 prisoners per wash room in one of the larger prisons. Only one of the prisons visited had safe drinking water available for the prisoners. All prisons other than two had tap water available for 24 hours, however the water was not purified leading to various water borne diseases. While women prisoners were reported to keep their children with them in prisons, it is also worth mentioning that there were no child care facilities in any of the prison evaluated. Inadequate medical facilities were reported by female prisoners from nearly all prisons. Although doctors are available in all prisons, but the diagnostic and treatment facilities were found to be far from satisfactory. No measures to deal with the mental health issues were reported to be provided by the prison authorities. In all prisons, psychologists were made available through UNODC supported project. The psychological problems reported are depression, stress, mental illness, attention seeking behavior, sleep disorder and generalized anxiety. No recreational facilities are available except television, which was available in only 2 prisons. No indoor games or activities to keep the prisoners involved were seen in any of the prisons visited. Based upon the results of this study, a series of key principles and actions are recommended, to promote principles of public health, improve the mental state of health of the confined, and prevent the spread of HIV and other communicable diseases in prisons. These services should include the provision of basic determinants of health such as adequate nutrition, clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, provision of an adequate gender-sensitive and interdisciplinary mental healthcare and provision of drug dependence treatment options for prisoners with problematic drug use. Comprehensive education and awareness of HIV/AIDS and ways to prevent HIV transmission, with a special reference to the likely risks of transmission within prison environments should be provided to both Prisoners and prison staff. Prison systems should provide easy access to voluntary HIV testing and counseling, which should be easily accessible to all prisoners. While HIV, HCV and HBV testing is continuously done in most prisons under the project supported by UNODC, it is strongly recommended that TB testing should also be initiated in prisons. Some basic child health services including nutrition, immunization, basic health care needs can be provided by the project as part of the holistic support program. Women should be provided access to legal counseling and provision of legal aid if desired, to access lawyers and follow up their cases in courts. Every effort should be made to develop positive partnerships with the higher prison authorities and the prison staff for every initiative undertaken. Details: Islamabad : United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Country Office Pakistan, 2011. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 25, 2015 at: https://www.unodc.org/documents/pakistan//female_behind_bars_complete_final.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Pakistan URL: https://www.unodc.org/documents/pakistan//female_behind_bars_complete_final.pdf Shelf Number: 137338 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersHealth ServicesMedical CarePrisons |
Author: Carceres-Monroy, Alejandro Title: Breaking the Silence: Civil and Human Rights Violations Resulting from Medical Neglect and Abuse of Women of Color in Los Angeles County Jails Summary: Women of color with mental health conditions in LA county jails and California prisons are exceptionally vulnerable to medical neglect and abuse that violate domestic civil rights law and regional and international human rights law. This Report by Dignity and Power Now ("DPN") documents how jail and prison officials violated the rights of seven women of color, and highlights the mental health consequences of the medical neglect and abuse these women suffered. It relies on the testimonies of these women, interviews with two former CRDF psychiatric social workers, and a growing literature on the unlawful treatment of incarcerated populations with mental health conditions across the United States of America. Although this Report's focus is the Century Regional Detention Facility ("CRDF"), an all-female facility operated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department ("LASD"), it includes violations against women at the LASD's Twin Towers facility and at the California Institution for Women ("CIW"), an all-female state prison. This Report documents how LASD Deputies and other personnel-including Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health personnel working in detention facilities-systematically denied the women interviewed vital mental and physical health care services. These officials forced women suffering from mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression to suffer - sometimes for months - without access to necessary medication. These Deputies verbally abused these women and rarely permitted them to leave their cells. These officials forced these women to lie in their own filth for days, and denied them access to adequate reproductive hygiene products such as tampons or pads, leaving these women to bleed on themselves. Women interviewed for this Report recounted how Deputies shackled pregnant women, and punished women with mental health conditions by placing them in solitary confinement. The experiences of these interviewees also reveal how, by medically neglecting and abusing women of color, Deputies and other personnel increased these women's risk of suicide. These abuses are unacceptable by any measure. That they occur at the hands of public employees entrusted with the humane care of these women - some of whom are our communities' most mentally and physically vulnerable - is heinous. In addition to detailing these women's stories, this Report demonstrates that the medical neglect and abuse of incarcerated women of color by LASD and other public officials violates domestic civil rights law, regional human rights law, and international human rights law. The violations this Report documents make clear the human cost of the growing trend of incarceration of women, a trend that is by no means mitigated by so-called gender responsive incarceration. In 2007 some California legislators proposed the construction of more incarceration facilities for women, and used a need for gender responsiveness as a justification for this expansion. A report by Californians United for a Responsible Budget, also released that year, explained that so-called gender responsive incarceration proposals used "the grave needs of people in women's prisons to manipulate public sentiment in favor of rehabilitation and services to expand a failing system." Even today, building more facilities will not prevent the gross human rights violations incarcerated women endure in Los Angeles County, or anywhere else in the United States. Details: Los Angeles, CA: Dignity and Power Now, 2015. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 11, 2016 at: http://dignityandpowernow.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/breaking_silence_report_2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://dignityandpowernow.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/breaking_silence_report_2015.pdf Shelf Number: 137456 Keywords: African AmericansFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersJailsMedical CareMental Health ServicesMentally Ill Offenders |
Author: Vallas, Rebecca Title: Removing Barriers to Opportunity for Parents With Criminal Records and Their Children Summary: Nearly four decades of mass incarceration and overcriminalization have made the United States the world leader in incarceration and arrests. The number of Americans in federal and state prisons and jails has quintupled over the past four decades - nearly 2.3 million Americans are behind bars today - leaving the U.S. incarceration rate at more than six times the average across developed nations. Communities of color - and particularly, men of color - are hit hardest, with black men six times more likely and Latino men two-and-a-half times more likely to be incarcerated than white men. An even greater share - between 70 million and 100 million Americans, or as many as one in three American adults - have some type of criminal record. Many have been convicted of only minor offenses, such as misdemeanors - and many only have arrests that never led to a conviction. But whether or not an individual has been incarcerated, having a criminal record often carries a lifetime of consequences, lasting long after someone has paid his or her debt to society. As discussed in a previous Center for American Progress report, "One Strike and You're Out," having even a minor criminal record can be a life sentence to poverty, presenting obstacles to employment, housing, education and training, public assistance, financial empowerment, and more. While the effects of parental incarceration on children and families are well-documented, less appreciated are the family consequences that stem from the barriers associated with having a criminal record, whether or not the parent has ever been convicted or spent time behind bars. A child's life chances are strongly tied to his or her circumstances during childhood. Thus, these barriers may not only affect family stability and economic security in the short term but also may damage a child's long-term well-being and outcomes. Our new analysis estimates that between 33 million and 36.5 million children in the United States - nearly half of U.S. children - now have at least one parent with a criminal record. In this report, we argue that parental criminal records significantly exacerbate existing challenges among low-income parents and their families. We explore the intergenerational effects of criminal records through five pillars of family well-being: - Income. Parents with criminal records have lower earning potential, as they often face major obstacles to securing employment and receiving public assistance. - Savings and assets. Mounting criminal justice debts and unaffordable child support arrears severely limit families' ability to save for the future and can trap them in a cycle of debt. - Education. Parents with criminal records face barriers to education and training opportunities that would increase their chances of finding well-paying jobs and better equip them to support their families. - Housing. Barriers to public as well as private housing for parents with criminal records can lead to housing instability and make family reunification difficult if not impossible. - Family strength and stability. Financial and emotional stressors associated with parental criminal records often pose challenges in maintaining healthy relationships and family stability. Because these challenges affect such a large share of our nation's children, we ignore these intergenerational consequences at our peril. In this report, we make the case for a "two-generation approach" to address barriers to opportunity associated with having a criminal record. We then offer policy recommendations to give both parents with criminal records and their children a fair shot. Details: Washington, DC: Center for American Progress, 2015. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 11, 2016 at: https://cdn.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/09060720/CriminalRecords-report2.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://cdn.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/09060720/CriminalRecords-report2.pdf Shelf Number: 137461 Keywords: Ex-OffendersFemale OffendersPrisoner Reentry |
Author: Smith, Christina M. Title: The Shifting Structure of Chicago's Organized Crime Network and the Women It Left Behind Summary: Women are underrepresented in crime and criminal economies compared to men. However, research on the gender gap in crime tends to not employ relational methods and theories, even though crime is often relational. In the predominantly male world of Chicago organized crime at the turn of the twentieth century existed a dynamic gender gap. Combining social network analysis and historical research methods to examine the case of organized crime in Chicago, I uncover a group of women who made up a substantial portion of the Chicago organized crime network from 1900 to 1919. Before Prohibition, women of organized crime operated brothels, trafficked other women, paid protection and graft fees, and attended political galas like the majority of their male counterparts. The 1920 US prohibition on the production, transportation, and sale of alcohol was an exogenous shock which centralized and expanded the organized crime network. This organizational restructuring mobilized hundreds of men and excluded women, even as women's criminal activities around Chicago were on the rise. Before Prohibition, women connected to organized crime primarily through the locations of their brothels, but, during Prohibition, relationships to associates of organized crime trumped locations as the means of connection. Relationships to organized crime were much more accessible to men than to women, and consequently gender inequality increased in the network. The empirical foundation of this research is 5,001 pages of archival documents used to create a relational database with information on 3,321 individuals and their 15,861 social relationships. This research introduces a unique measure of inequality in social networks and a relational theory of gender dynamics applicable to future research on organizations, criminal or otherwise. Details: Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2015. 233p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed February 17, 2016 at: http://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1464&context=dissertations_2 Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1464&context=dissertations_2 Shelf Number: 137867 Keywords: Criminal NetworksFemale OffendersOrganized CrimeSocial Networks |
Author: MacGillivray, Peta Title: Australian Indigenous Women's Offending Patterns Summary: Research Brief 19 provides new insights into Indigenous women's offending by examining previously unpublished police and court data for the period 2010-2012. While there are differences across the selected Australian jurisdictions, the authors find that the offences that most often appeared in charges, court proceedings and convictions were driving and traffic offences, assault, theft offences and offences against justice procedures. In all the jurisdictions examined, assault along with vehicle and driving offences were the top or second most serious offences with which Indigenous women were charged or proceeded against to court. The paper supports the conclusions of IJC Research Brief 14 that in some jurisdictions Indigenous women are imprisoned on more minor offences including public order offences than their non-Indigenous peers. The paper suggests that programs should aim to prevent Indigenous girls and women from becoming enmeshed in low level offending such as less serious driving offences and shoplifting. Details: Canberra: Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Criminology, 2015. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: Brief 19: Accessed February 23, 2016 at: http://www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/briefs/brief019.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/briefs/brief019.pdf Shelf Number: 137940 Keywords: AboriginalsFemale OffendersIndigenous Peoples |
Author: Mc Hugh, Rosemarie Title: Tracking the Needs and Service Provision for Women Ex-Prisoners Summary: This paper presents the findings of research conducted with female prisoners serving short sentences in the Dochas Centre. The research focussed in particular on the needs of this cohort of women upon leaving prison. 16 women were interviewed within the Dochas Centre; the study was primarily a qualitative one which aimed to understand the subjective experiences of the women and communicate their stories by giving primacy to the women's own 'voices'. Findings While each individual woman's story is unique there were significant patterns across the group. The profile of the group and the women's individual recounts of their life histories and experiences demonstrate a high incidence of deprivation, disadvantage, vulnerability and marginalisation. In this study this marginalisation was characterised by some or more of the following - unstable family backgrounds, care outside the home, homelessness, poor schooling, early engagement with the criminal justice system, childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner abuse, other sexual and physical abuse, little or no employment history, substance abuse, inability to care for their children, hospitalisation and treatment units, and significant mental and emotional health needs. The majority of women had little or no formal educational qualifications and little or no histories of employment, with social welfare being the main source of income for the vast majority of women. 14 of the 16 women had experienced homelessness at some point in their lives with the vast majority experiencing repeat incidences of homelessness. 13 of the 16 women had a substance abuse problem at some stage in their lives, often commencing at an early age, with many having long term substance abuse problems. Three quarters of the women had experienced violence or abuse of some form either as a child or as an adult, with three quarters of these, in turn, experiencing repeat victimisation. The women also revealed significant mental and emotional health needs including a high incidence of depression. This study also found that these women demonstrated a resource-poor network. This was demonstrable within the women's stories by the low level of contact with family members and the low volume, frequency and expectation of visits while imprisoned. It was also demonstrable in the lack of knowledge of supports available within the community and the fact that many referred to learning about available services and feeling more supported within the prison. Many of the women had extensive engagement with the criminal justice system from an early age and over a long period of time. However, the majority of crimes were low level addiction related crimes - theft, public order and drug offences. The majority identified themselves primarily as addicts as opposed to offenders and described their offending histories as inherently tied to their addictions, suggesting a sense of control over their offending but not their substance abuse. The culmination of the above means that the needs of the majority of these women, whether in prison or in the community, were multiple, complex and highly intertwined. Thus, their post release needs are extensive and challenging. The study suggests that we may need to reconceptualise what can, or should be, expected in terms of individual desistance from these women, who have been cycling in and out of criminal justice involvement from an early age, often with significant substance abuse problems, high incidences of trauma and victimisation and considerable mental and emotional health needs. It also poses questions, based on the women's own understanding and experiences, as to the adequacy of supports and services available to these women within the community. The findings of this study also align with international research that both the triggers of female offending and the post release needs are extremely different for female offenders compared to that of their male counterparts and further emphasises the need for a gender specific approach. Details: Dublin: Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development, 2013. 43p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 25, 2016 at: http://www.acjrd.ie/files/Tracking_the_needs_and_service_provision_for_women_ex-prisoners_-_Final.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Ireland URL: http://www.acjrd.ie/files/Tracking_the_needs_and_service_provision_for_women_ex-prisoners_-_Final.pdf Shelf Number: 137969 Keywords: Female Ex-OffendersFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersGender Specific ResponsesPrisoner Reentry |
Author: Prison Reform Trust Title: International Good Practice: Alternatives to imprisonment for women offenders Summary: This report presents a wide range of international examples of alternatives to custody for nonviolent women offenders. It profiles a number of dynamic projects in different jurisdictions, some of which have proven to be particularly successful in reducing reoffending in women offenders. Due to both time constraints and the availability of research evidence, the report uses information from predominantly Western countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. European examples are used where available and relevant. The women's prison population in England and Wales more than doubled between 1995 and 2010 and, although numbers are starting to decline somewhat, approximately 13,500 women are sent to prison each year in the UK. This is one of the highest rates of women's imprisonment in Western Europe. The human, social and financial costs are considerable. Women in prison are ten times more likely than men to harm themselves, Most women are imprisoned for short periods and they have very high reconviction rates, suggesting that for many prison is neither rehabilitative nor a deterrent. Many of the women sent to prison are mothers, compounding and prolonging the detrimental impact. According to one survey, six in ten women in prison had dependent children (on average two children.) At least a third of mothers are lone parents before imprisonment. In 2010, more than 17,000 children were separated from their mothers by imprisonment. For eight out of ten children, it's the first time they have been separated from their mums for more than a day or so. Innovative approaches are needed if these damaging impacts are to be significantly reduced. Various studies have shown that non-custodial programmes are significantly more cost-effective than imprisoning women who offender. The average annual cost of a woman's imprisonment in England and Wales today stands at L56,415 compared to a Community Order cost of L2,800 per year, and an average of L1,300 for standalone community-based services. From early intervention strategies to resettlement programmes, this report outlines a range of alternatives to imprisonment for women offenders. These include inter alia women's centres and one-stop-shops, community residential alternatives, and small units designed to accommodate women offenders. Focusing on a diverse range of alternatives emphasises the specific issues faced by women in the criminal justice systems across the world such as mental health needs, exposure to domestic and sexual abuse, drug and alcohol use, and homelessness. By addressing the factors that underlie women's offending, we are better able to generate sustainable alternatives that have the potential to significantly reduce offending. This research has been exclusively desk-based and as such makes extensive use of studies undertaken and statistics presented by academics, policy-makers, and international agencies. It focuses predominantly on non-violent adult women offenders, although some reference is made to young women offenders, older women offenders, and women sentenced for serious and violent crimes. It does not present a rigorous comparative analysis of different approaches but does include as much evaluative evidence as possible for the different initiatives. In October 2013 the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its causes and consequences, presented a new report to the UN General Assembly, Pathways to, conditions and consequences of incarceration of women. It illustrates the strong link between violence against women and women's imprisonment - prior to, during and after prison. That report examines the causes, conditions and consequences of women's incarceration and is a timely and forceful reminder of why alternatives to incarceration are so badly needed. Academic experts and practitioners concur that, if they are to work for women, services and interventions must be 'gender-responsive'. Gender-responsive practice can be divided into five parts: - relational - recognising that women develop self-worth through their relationships with others and are motivated by their connections with other people - strengths-based - using each woman's individual strengths to develop empowered decisions - trauma-informed - recognising the ways in which histories of trauma and abuse impact upon a woman's involvement in the criminal justice system - holistic - providing a comprehensive model that addresses the multiple and complex needs of women offenders - culturally-informed - services recognise and respond to the diverse cultural backgrounds of women offenders. The information provided about the different programmes and services profiled in this report is organised thematically, as is evident from the chapter headings. The same service may be described under more than one heading where it provides for a range of needs or different groups. This is indicated by a cross reference at the beginning of a project. All the material is extensively referenced, enabling the reader to investigate particular projects further. Details: London: PRT, 2015. 65p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 5, 2016 at: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/portals/0/documents/international%20good%20practice%20final.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/portals/0/documents/international%20good%20practice%20final.pdf Shelf Number: 138114 Keywords: Alternatives to incarcerationChildren of PrisonersFemale OffendersGender Specific ResponsesGender-Based Programs |
Author: Duwe, Grant Title: Moving On: An Outcome Evaluation of a Gender-Responsive, Cognitive-Behavioral Program for Female Offenders Summary: We used a quasi-experimental design to evaluate the effectiveness of Moving On, a gender-responsive, cognitive-behavioral program designed for female offenders. Between 2001 and 2013, there were two distinct periods in which Moving On was administered with, and without, fidelity among female Minnesota prisoners. To determine whether program integrity matters, we examined the performance of Moving On across these two periods. Using multiple comparison groups, we found that Moving On significantly reduced two of the four measures of recidivism when it was implemented with fidelity. The program did not have a significant impact on any of the four recidivism measures, however, when it operated without fidelity. The growth of the "what works" literature and the emphasis on evidence-based practices have helped foster the notion that correctional systems can improve public safety by reducing recidivism. Given that Moving On's success hinged on whether it was delivered with integrity, our results show that correctional practitioners can take an effective intervention and make it ineffective. Providing offenders with evidence-based interventions that lack therapeutic integrity not only promotes a false sense of efficacy, but it also squanders the limited supply of programming resources available to correctional agencies. The findings suggest that ensuring program integrity is critical to the efficient use of successful interventions that deliver on the promise of reduced recidivism. Details: St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Department of Corrections, 2015. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2016 at: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/PAGES/files/2014/3751/2704/Moving_On_Evaluation_-_July_2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.doc.state.mn.us/PAGES/files/2014/3751/2704/Moving_On_Evaluation_-_July_2015.pdf Shelf Number: 138361 Keywords: Cognitive SkillsCorrectional ProgramsEvidence-Based ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersGender Specific ProgramsRehabilitation |
Author: Fleetwood, Jennifer Title: Women in the international cocaine trade: Gender, choice and agency in context Summary: This thesis is about women in the international cocaine trade and in particular about their experiences as drug mules. This is the first comprehensive qualitative investigation based on the accounts of women and men who worked as drug mules and those who organise and manage trafficking cocaine by mule across international borders. Two explanations for women's involvement in drug trafficking compete. The 'feminisation of poverty' thesis contends that women's participation in the drug trade results from (and is a response to) their economic and social subordination. The 'emancipation thesis' contends that women's participation in the drugs trade is an effect of women's liberation. This thesis explores if and how women's involvement in the drug trafficking (recruitment and 'work') is shaped by their gender. I interviewed 37 men and women drug traffickers imprisoned in Quito, Ecuador. This location was chosen due to the high numbers of women and men imprisoned for drug trafficking crimes. Respondents came from all levels of the drug trade and from different parts of the world. Data was collected and analysed using narrative analysis to understand the way in which discourses of victimhood were created in prison. This allowed for a sensitive interpretation of the meaning of victimhood and agency in respondents' responses. The substantive section of the thesis examines two aspects of women's involvement in drug trafficking in depth. The first section examines aspects of women's recruitment into the drug trade as mules; the second section examines the work that mules do. This research finds that women's participation in the international cocaine trade cannot be adequately understood through the lens of either victimisation or volition. The contexts in which men and women chose to work as a mule were diverse reflecting their varied backgrounds (nationality, age, experience, employment status, as well as gender). Furthermore, mules' motivations reflected not only volition but also coercion and sometimes threat of violence. Although gender was a part of the context in which respondents became involved in mule-work, it was not the only, or the most important aspect. Secondly, this research examined the nature of mule-work. Most mules (men and women) willingly entered a verbal contract to work as a drugs mule; nonetheless the context of 'mule-work' is inherently restrictive. Mules were subject to surveillance and management by their 'contacts' had few opportunities to have control or choice over their work. Collaboration, resistance and threat were often played out according to gendered roles and relationships but gender was not a determining factor. Nonetheless, respondents could and did find ways to negotiate resist and take action in diverse and creative ways. Prior research on the cocaine trade has ignored the importance of women's participation or has considered it only in limited ways driven by gender stereotypes. Thus, this research addresses a significant gap in available evidence on women in the drug trade. This research also contributes to contemporary debates in theories of women's offending which have centred on the role of victimisation and agency in relation to women's offending. Details: Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh, 2009. 272p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed April 5, 2016 at: https://www.era.lib.ed.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/1842/9895/Fleetwood2009.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Year: 2009 Country: Ecuador URL: https://www.era.lib.ed.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/1842/9895/Fleetwood2009.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Shelf Number: 138564 Keywords: Drug MulesDrug OffendersDrug TradeDrug TraffickingFemale Offenders |
Author: Duda, Janelle Title: Evaluation of Judicial Process Commission's Women's Re-entry Project Summary: The Women's Re-entry Program out of Rochester, New York serves pregnant women and mothers of young children coming out of jail. The program began enrolling women into services in March 2010 and ran through April 2012. While the program ended in April 2012, some components of the program continue through to the present. Rochester, New York has a population of 210,565, of which 42% of the population is Black or African American and 16% is of Hispanic or Latino descent (US Census, 2010). Rochester is faced with issues similar to those of urban areas across the nation. Issues such as high rates of criminal justice supervision, vacant housing, teen pregnancy and low graduation rates plague the City of Rochester. Further, 38% of children under the age of 12 live in poverty in Rochester, making it ranked the 11th highest city in the nation for child poverty (Children's Agenda, n.d.). Monroe County receives about 6,000 men and women returning from federal, state and local incarceration yearly (Judicial Process Commission, personal communication, June 17, 2013). This program receives participants mostly from the Monroe Correctional Facility (MCF), located in Brighton New York, which houses 475 sentenced inmates. The Monroe County Jail (MCJ) is a pre-trial detention facility located in Rochester, which houses about 1,000 inmates, only a few of which have been sentenced. While the annual jail population is about 14,000 total, on any given day, the two facilities house about 1,400 inmates. Of the 14,000 held, about one third was sentenced. In 2010, there were 2,580 women incarcerated, of which 876 were sentenced (19% of the total sentenced population). A daily average of 45 sentenced females was in the MCF/MCJ in 2010. This program works exclusively with a population which has historically been ignored in the criminal justice system: females. Female offenders are an extremely vulnerable population (Kubiak, Young, Siefert, & Stewart, 2004; Schroeder & Bell, 2005; Knight & Plugge, 2005; Wiewel & Mosley, 2006). This program sought to work closely with this at risk population in order to provide intensive case management services that would position the participants to make informed life decisions, while being supported in the process. Details: Rochester, NY: Rochester Institute of Technology, Center for Public Safety Initiatives, 2013. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 11, 2016 at: https://www.rit.edu/cla/criminaljustice/sites/rit.edu.cla.criminaljustice/files/docs/WorkingPapers/2013/2013-08.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: https://www.rit.edu/cla/criminaljustice/sites/rit.edu.cla.criminaljustice/files/docs/WorkingPapers/2013/2013-08.pdf Shelf Number: 138624 Keywords: Children of PrisonersFamilies of InmatesFemale OffendersPrison Reentry |
Author: Pollack, Shoshana Title: Locked In, Locked Out: Imprisoning Women in the Shrinking and Punitive Welfare State Summary: Women represent a small proportion of people in jails and prisons in Canada. In 2003/04, 9% of prisoners in provincial and territorial jails were women and 6% of federal prisoners were women (Statistics Canada, 2006). However, despite decreasing crime rates, the rate of women federally incarcerated in Canada is steadily increasing. In 2003 there were 822 federally sentenced women, 374 (45%) of whom were in prison and 448 (55%) were out on bail or under community supervision. By 2006-07, there were 476 women in federal prisons. Between 1997 and 2006, the population of women in federal prisons jumped 22% (Correctional Service of Canada, 2006). Similar trends are seen in other industrialized countries. In the US, for example, Chesney-Lind (2002) states that there is a "women's imprisonment boom." Both Australia and Great Britain are also experiencing an increase in numbers of women being imprisoned (Balfour & Comack, 2006). Feminist activists and researchers have expressed great concern about this growing worldwide trend and many have pointed to neo-liberal policy changes as contributing to the dramatic increase in the imprisonment of women. Drastic cuts to social assistance, the creation of a precarious low-wage job market, reduction in publicly funded daycare, and cuts to social services, addictions treatment and mental health services have eroded the social safety net. It is the already disadvantaged members of our communities who are most hard hit by neo-liberal socio-economic policies. The dismantling of social services and welfare state provisions have resulted "in the increased criminalization of the most marginalized and vulnerable members of our communities" (Neve and Pate, 2005: 27). An overwhelming majority of imprisoned women are convicted of property offences whereas 3% are convicted of violent offences (Statistics Canada, 2006). The most common charge for women charged with property crimes is theft under $5000 or fraud. Many women have committed income-generating offences such as fraud, shoplifting, prostitution and robbery to support addictions (AGC, 2003). In Canada, the fastest growing group of incarcerated women is Aboriginal. The rate of imprisoned Aboriginal women jumped 72.5% between 1996 and 2004 (Office of the Correctional Investigator, 2006). Although Aboriginal people comprise 3% of the Canadian population, 19% of federal prisoners are Aboriginal. For women this number is even higher: 32% of federal female prisoners are Aboriginal. Research has illustrated that well over the majority of imprisoned women in North America have histories of childhood abuse, have experienced violence in their intimate relationships with men, often live in poverty, endure systemic racialized violence and have addictions (Gilfus, 1992; Comack, 1996; Richie, 1996; Owen, 1998; Task Force on Federally Sentenced Women, 1990). This research, often referred to as the 'pathways to crime' literature, illustrates that attempts to cope with victimization experiences such as childhood abuse and violence against women, propel many women into situations that put them at risk of being criminalized. Details: Toronto: Wilfrid Laurier University, 2008. 37p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 22, 2016 at: http://www.efryottawa.com/documents/LockedinLockedout-SPollockresearchreport.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Canada URL: http://www.efryottawa.com/documents/LockedinLockedout-SPollockresearchreport.pdf Shelf Number: 138722 Keywords: AboriginalsFederal PrisonersFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale Prisoners |
Author: Great Britain. HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Title: Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP & YOI Bronzefield Summary: HMP Bronzefield is a complex closed women's local prison run by Sodexo Justice Services. It holds up to 527 women, with all categories represented - those remanded by the courts, those serving short sentences and a number serving life. Ages range from 18 to over 70. It is also one of two prisons in the female estate that holds restricted status women, or women who are deemed to require special management due to the level of risk they present, or the notoriety of their offences. The catchment area of the prison is huge and the mix of women held continues to present an almost unique blend of complexity and vulnerability. Around a third of women reported having a disability and 90% said they arrived with problems, including 44% who felt depressed or suicidal. For over half it was their first time in prison and a similar number had children under the age of 18. Over 40% indicated they had a problem with drugs and 66% said they had emotional wellbeing or mental health problems. The proportion of women reporting these types of problems was significantly higher than at our last inspection. It was encouraging to see, therefore, that despite this increased complexity of the challenge faced, the prison had continued the improvement we reported at the last inspection in April 2013. Arrangements to support women on arrival and during their early days at the prison were good, and for those with substance misuse problems, some of the best we have seen. Processes to keep women safe and to deal with the high levels of self-harm and vulnerability were well developed. There was little violence and few serious incidents, but despite this, many women still complained that they had felt unsafe at some time while at the prison and that they had been victimised by both other prisoners and staff. The reasons for this were not clear but, the complex mix of women held at Bronzefield, a recent tragic self-inflicted death, the first such death at the prison, allied to a zero tolerance approach being adopted to tackle poor behaviour when it occurred, were likely to be contributory factors to these perceptions. At the last inspection we were critical of some aspects of the work with the small number of women who had a combination of very challenging and sometimes dangerous behaviour and vulnerabilities, including personality disorder and mental health conditions. Work in this area had improved significantly and while we were still concerned about two women who had been managed in the separation and care unit (SCU) for over two years, the care they were receiving and specialist input to manage their progression and reintegration was good, and would be developed further with soon to be piloted interventions addressing personality disorder. Safeguarding arrangements in general were well developed and fully embedded across the prison. Security was proportionate, including for those women who were restricted status. Work in the SCU had developed since the last inspection and was now much more progressive. Use of force was not excessive, although some aspects of oversight needed attention. Substance misuse support was very good. The general environment was very good and care was taken to keep the prison decent. Staff-prisoner relationships were very good and the custody support officer scheme worked well, including effectively supporting resettlement work. Again, despite some negativity in our surveys, work to support the diverse range of women held, including the quarter who were from black and minority ethnic communities, and the 24% who were foreign nationals, was good. The mother and baby unit provided excellent care and support to those using the facility, and maternity care was very good. Health services were good overall, including for the high number of women with mental health problems. As at the last inspection the weakest outcomes were in the provision of purposeful activity. Time out of cell was reasonable although we found some women locked up during the day who could have been more purposefully occupied. The range of vocational training had improved and there were sufficient activity places for all those held. However, the quality of teaching and learning remained too variable and outcomes in the key area of functional skills needed to be better. Managers had a plan to address these deficiencies but this had not yet come to fruition. In contrast, resettlement work had improved significantly. Excellent support was now provided to women in maintaining contact with their family and friends, and also for those who had been abused, trafficked or who were sex workers. The prison had started to use release on temporary licence to support reintegration work, including for employment and family contact and relationship reasons. Offender management work had been re-organised since the last inspection and was now better than we usually see with evidence of regular and meaningful contact between women and specialist staff. Public protection arrangements were robust. The new community rehabilitation companies (CRCs) were still bedding in and there was confusion about how they worked alongside Sodexo resettlement staff. Nevertheless, support in the reducing reoffending pathways was generally strong although factors outside the control of the prison were resulting in too many women being released without settled accommodation. HMP Bronzefield was a very good and improved prison. Outcomes for the highly complex population were at least reasonably good or better in all our healthy prison tests, with the quality of respect and work to resettle prisoners particularly strong. It is a credit to the very capable leadership within the prison, and the committed and motivated staff group that the challenges they face continue to be met in such a positive and caring way. Details: London: Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons, 2015. 119p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 26, 2016 at: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/04/Bronzefield-web2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/04/Bronzefield-web2015.pdf Shelf Number: 138822 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersPrisoner ReentryWomen Prisoners |
Author: Western Australia, Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services Title: Female Prisons in Western Australia and the Greenough Women's Precinct Summary: Women still form a relatively small proportion of Western Australia's prison population but their numbers have grown quickly, and at a much faster rate than male numbers. At the time of writing, there were 486 women in prison, a staggering increase of 40 per cent in five years (in July 2009 there were 350). The number of male prisoners has increased by 15 per cent over the same period (from 4120 to 4748). Greenough Regional Prison has always accommodated a number of women, usually around 25 and historically in Unit Five, a claustrophobic, confined and run down area. In 2012, in response to a crisis of numbers at Bandyup Women's Prison, a newer larger unit, Unit Four, was converted to the use of women prisoners. The women already at Greenough were moved into Unit Four in late November 2012 and Unit Five became a male unit. Women began being transferred from other prisons, especially Bandyup and Roebourne Regional Prison, from late January 2013. Unit Four is located within the same perimeter fence as the rest of the prison, close to male accommodation blocks, the oval and a number of other amenities. It is separated from the male accommodation areas by a mesh fence topped by razor wire. A privacy screen was added to the fence line adjacent to the male prisoners' accommodation, obscuring the view in and out of the women's unit. This adds some degree of visual, but not aural, privacy. Additional supporting infrastructure, in the form of demountables, was added to allow for the provision of education, programs, and other services to be delivered to the women separately. The Unit's grounds also include a basketball/netball court, some isometric gym equipment, and a pleasant garden area. However it is not entirely self-contained, and this generates some significant issues. When Unit Four is fully occupied, it has a total capacity of 69. Therefore, compared with Unit Five, it offers a gain of up to 44 beds for women. Importantly though, the new Women's Precinct offered an opportunity to do much more for women being held at Greenough than had been done in the past. This report provides a review of services for women prisoners at Greenough based on an on-site inspection in August 2013. It also provides a thematic overview of the state of women's imprisonment in Western Australia, and the historical context which brought about the need for the creation of the Greenough Women's Precinct. Details: Perth: Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services, 2014. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 5, 2016 at: http://www.oics.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/91-Greenough-Women.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.oics.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/91-Greenough-Women.pdf Shelf Number: 138938 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersFemale PrisonsPrisons |
Author: Davis, Antoinette Title: No Place for Youth: Girls in the Adult Justice System Summary: During the past three decades, states across the country passed legislation making it easier to move youth under age 18 into the adult criminal justice system (Puzzanchera & Addie 2014; Johnson, Lanza-Kaduce, & Woolard; Mulvey & Schubert 2012; Griffin, Addie, Adams, & Firestine 2011). These laws made youth eligible for transfer to the adult court system for a greater number of crimes, lowered the age of adult criminal responsibility, increased the ability of prosecutors to file cases in adult court directly, and excluded certain crimes from eligibility for juvenile court adjudication. These legislative changes resulted in an unprecedented rise in youth serving time in adult criminal justice facilities (i.e., jails and prisons). Not only does this phenomenon add a layer of difficulty to the operation and staffing of facilities charged with overseeing these young offenders, but it also directly conflicts with research showing that housing youth in adult correctional facilities is harmful, on a variety of levels, for young people. Adult jails and prisons are not designed for the confinement of youth, and as a result most are not equipped to meet the inherent and specific needs of adolescents. Studies show that youth in adult confinement do not receive age-appropriate educational, medical, or rehabilitative services. They are subject to conditions that are developmentally inappropriate and physically and emotionally unsafe; these conditions run counter to rehabilitative goals. In addition, a growing body of research shows that youth confined in adult facilities are exposed to seasoned offenders and, as compared to youth who are placed in juvenile facilities, are more likely to recidivate with more severe crimes upon release (Hahn et al., 2007; Redding 2010; Fagan, Kupchik, & Liberman 2007; Johnson, Lanza-Kaduce, & Woolard 2011). Although not widely considered by practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders, a growing proportion of youth prosecuted as adults are female. In 2010, girls were defendants in 8% of all cases judicially waived from juvenile to adult courts (Puzzanchera & Addie 2014). This bulletin focuses on the population of girls under age 18 who are confined to adult facilities in the United States. It provides a summary of current research, incorporates the voices of practitioners, and offers recommendations for improving conditions and outcomes for girls who are sentenced to adult facilities. Data examined for this bulletin include results of a national survey of correctional administrators conducted by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) and the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) in 2014. The NIC/NCCD survey was designed to collect information from members of the Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA) about issues and challenges that adult facilities face in serving youth under age 18, with a particular focus on girls. ASCA is a professional organization whose membership consists of current and former administrators of correctional facilities or the correctional system of a jurisdiction. Survey findings are included throughout the bulletin, and results are summarized in the appendix. NIC and NCCD also held a listening session with a select group of corrections professionals; these individuals have extensive experience overseeing state correctional departments or women's correctional facilities and providing services for female offenders. Quotes from this listening session are highlighted in the bulletin. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. National Institute of Corrections, 2015. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 6, 2016 at: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.nicic.gov/Library/031370.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.nicic.gov/Library/031370.pdf Shelf Number: 139018 Keywords: Female OffendersJuvenile DetentionJuvenile in Adult FacilitiesJuvenile OffendersJuvenile WaiverWaiver to Adult Court |
Author: Osterman, Linnea Title: Making Restorative Justice Work for Women Who Have Offended Summary: Restorative justice is about direct communication between a victim and their offender, typically through a face to face conference. It holds offenders to account for what they have done, helps them to take responsibility and make amends, and also gives victims the chance to explain the real impact of the crime. While restorative justice has experienced a surge in both theory and practice of late, there remains "[a] woeful lack of evidence regarding female offenders in restorative justice conferences" (Miles, 2013: 8). The vast majority of evidence around restorative justice is gender-blind (Cook, 2006), and/or uses an all-male sample. This is despite a significant and growing evidence base showing that women1 involved in criminal justice have different offending patterns and come into the system with different backgrounds (Elis, 2005). In view of this, recent years have seen a mounting recognition in both policy and practice of the value of gender-sensitive approaches when working with women in criminal justice. This study critically questioned whether restorative justice is lagging behind other areas for criminal justice service provision in this area. The extremely limited literature that exists suggests that very low numbers of female offender cases go through to conference, and that there is a perception in the field that women who have committed an offence are more reluctant to engage in restorative justice (Miles, 2013). The reasons behind this remain unclear, though it is not wholly unlikely to be related to the particular nature and circumstances of female offending. Moreover, there are tentative suggestions in the literature that restorative justice may have a stronger effect on women who offend, especially those convicted of violent offences (Strang, 2015; Sherman et al, 2006). Again, the reasons behind these suggestions remain unclear, though theories include higher levels of empathy and a particular female 'ethics of care', positive impacts on mental health and new opportunities for engagement with services and positive networks. In contrast, some gendered risks have also been highlighted in the limited literature, including that restorative justice, if not well delivered, may exacerbate mental health problems, linked to particular experiences of shame, guilt, and a higher prevalence of vulnerability, trauma and self-harm. Details: London: Restorative Justice Council, 2016. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 13, 2016 at: http://www.t2a.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/making_restorative_justice_work_for_women_offenders_fullreport.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.t2a.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/making_restorative_justice_work_for_women_offenders_fullreport.pdf Shelf Number: 139008 Keywords: Alternatives to IncarcerationFemale OffendersGender-Specific ProgramsRestorative JusticeVictims of Crime |
Author: Allen, Rob Title: Meeting the Needs of Young Adult Women in Custody Summary: This report looks at how best the prison system can meet the needs of young adult women. It follows T2A's 2013 report 'Young Adults in Custody: the way forward' which considered the broader issues relating to young adults in prison. That report coincided with proposals by the Coalition Government to dispense with specific young offender institutions (YOIs) and instead to detain young adults in mixed establishments - a practice that has been increasing over the last few years1. The Government's plans were put on hold pending the outcome of Lord Harris's independent review into self-inflicted deaths in custody of 18-24 year olds which reported on July 1st 2015. The Government responded to the review in December 2015. In the meantime the House of Commons Justice Select Committee has embarked on a major inquiry into young adults in the criminal justice system. Details: London: T2A Transition to Adulthood, 2016. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 13, 2016 at: http://www.t2a.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Young-Adult-Women-in-Custody_LR2.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.t2a.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Young-Adult-Women-in-Custody_LR2.pdf Shelf Number: 139010 Keywords: Criminal Justice ReformFemale InmatesFemale OffendersYoung Adult Offenders |
Author: Baker, Jo Title: Conditions for Women in Detention: Needs, vulnerabilities and good practices Summary: While all human beings are vulnerable when deprived of their liberty, certain groups are at particular risk. For women, the discrimination that they face in broader society reaches deep into places of detention such as prisons, which are largely still designed and managed for men, by men. As a minority - although a growing one in many counties - detained women are often overlooked at the expense of their dignity, wellbeing and human rights. Yet, as now well established in international law, women's specific needs require different and sometimes greater attention in order for women to enjoy their rights equally to men. As particularly well established in the recently adopted UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (Bangkok Rules) there are concrete ways in which this must be done. This study focuses on conditions for women in detention, and works by theme, from physical conditions and provisions, to areas such as health, safety and work. For each, DIGNITY presents the level of protection that has developed for detained women in international standards, and determines whether this has been well reflected in the jurisprudence of four major UN human rights treaty bodies in the past six years (2008-13). Dignity has intertwined this review with empirical research in women's prisons in five very different countries, with emphasis on the voices of inmates themselves. During in-depth, private conversations, we have asked detained women, what matters most to you? This research was conducted in Albania, Jordan, Guatemala, the Philippines, and Zambia in 2013 and early 2014, among almost 90 detained or formerly detained women in 11 facilities, and more than 80 prison staff and others working with detained populations, from NGOs staff to lawyers and social workers. Details: Copenhagen: Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY), 2014. 131p. Source: Internet Resource: DIGNITY Publication Series, Study No. 7: Accessed June 10, 2016 at: https://dignityinstitute.org/media/2065759/pubseriesno7_wid_final_0814.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: https://dignityinstitute.org/media/2065759/pubseriesno7_wid_final_0814.pdf Shelf Number: 139362 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersFemale Prisoners |
Author: Baker, Jo Title: Conditions for Women in Detention in Zambia: Needs, Vulnerabilities and Good Practices Summary: While conditions for women in Zambia's under-resourced prison system are largely considered better than those for men, a closer look tells a different story. As a minority, it may be that various women's facilities suffer from less (yet still chronic) congestion, are subject to lighter security restrictions, and allow more flexibility, at the discretion of the warden. Yet as revealed by this study, there is a broad, acute and harmful lack of consideration for the special needs of women in detention, in forms acknowledged by and less visible to officials and personnel in the Zambia Prison Service (ZPS or Prison Service). These gaps are detrimental to the dignity and wellbeing of female detainees and breach many of their human rights. Key among these gaps are a lack of basic hygiene provisions and gender-specific healthcare. These present particular risk to the health of inmates, among others, who are pregnant, living with HIV, accompanied by young children or for those who, because of stigma or distance from family (which are both, in many cases, worse for men than women), have no outside assistance at all. Although the Prison Service should be commended for the continued opening of prisons to outside support and a human rights approach, it must observe its State responsibility to meet detainees' basic needs. Female inmates were largely found to be isolated from family, including children, and from other forms of outside support, which research has indicated is likely to be more harmful to women than men, in general, from a psychological and material perspective. For the women interviewed in Zambia, this was often the greatest cause of anxiety and despair (as summarized in the section, What Matters Most). Female inmates lack access to vocational, educational and recreational activities that are made available to men; they are also unremunerated, even though many women face extreme anxiety about supporting themselves and any dependents on release, in the context of rejection from their husbands, families and communities. Key, also, are discriminatory barriers to complaint and information that place them at risk. The Offender Management role has been seen to fill critical gaps in admissions screenings and orientation for female inmates, in identifying special needs and connecting them with needed services and counseling, but it is under resourced and under supported institutionally. Men and women are separated in law and to a great extent, in practice, and inmates were protected from gender-based violence and harassment by men in the facilities visited by DIGNITY, according to our research. In contrast to reports of police custody, a sharp decline in the use of physical violence and torture against women by prison staff has also been reported in recent years, among other improvements. Yet DIGNITY is concerned that sexual relationships with male staff are not fully and effectively prevented in some facilities, and degrading and harmful disciplinary measures were also found to be used by female staff, including body searching practices. Attention to staff training, gender awareness and attitudes would make a great difference - particularly among female staff -- as would measures to encourage free, regular and dignified contact with family and children; structured activities to engage and empower women (personally and economically); and greater attention to sanitation and health provisions, particularly for pregnant women, new mothers, and children. While these may be most important for women with long sentences, they are also urgently needed in small rural prisons, where women may have very little. The role of the Offender Managers, if adequately resourced, gender trained and institutionally supported, could be one of the most effective ways to ensure the well-being and dignity of women in detention in Zambia. Details: Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY), 2015. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: DIGNITY Publication Series on Torture and Organised Violence no. 12: Accessed June 13, 2016 at: https://dignityinstitute.org/media/2066110/pubserieswid12.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Zambia URL: https://dignityinstitute.org/media/2066110/pubserieswid12.pdf Shelf Number: 139426 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersPrisonsWomen Prisoners |
Author: Baker, Jo Title: Conditions for Women in Detention in the Philippines: Needs, Vulnerabilities and Good Practices Summary: What are the particular needs, issues, risks and vulnerabilities that face imprisoned women across the world? What challenges and promising practices are common in their management? And where do these practices fall in relation to international standards? These questions lie at the heart of DIGNITY's research into conditions for women in detention in four countries - of which this Philippines country study is one part. The management of women in the Philippines' vast and fragmented penal system demonstrates a broad spectrum of approaches. In some smaller, provincial facilities women are reportedly detained with minimal or no attention to their human rights or particular needs, including the right to be held separately from male inmates, causing strong concern for their safety and wellbeing. In other women-only prisons and pre-trial facilities, visited by DIGNITY in 2013, close attention is given to inmates' welfare, and good practices can be found for other resource-constrained countries - particularly in the management of visits and the use of structured activity to keep inmates active and motivated. In speaking to detainees (as summarized in the section, What Matters Most), DIGNITY has been able to understand the critical importance of ties to the outside world, particularly to children and lawyers, of dignified spaces in which to meet visitors, and of opportunities to take on responsibility, and stay busy. We have been told of the acute need for gender-sensitive healthcare, particularly in areas of reproductive and sexual health, and for survivors of gender-based violence, and substance abusers. Women have spoken of gendered risks and dangers that they face while in detention, including sexual exploitation, mental health risks and harmful forms of misinformation. They have also shared their experiences of abandonment and stigma, which many believe are experienced differently and disproportionately by women. Yet in only one of the country's penal systems, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), is the operational approach gender responsive - and comprehensively so. A series of operational guidelines circulated among staff of the Correctional institute for Women in 2013 has integrated the recently elaborated United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (Bangkok Rules) into the management of the prisons. This has ensured that a broad range of measures respond to the special needs and common histories of women, both generally and as members of particular groups, to help protect their rights and ensure their wellbeing. These measures include the development of alternative screening methods to strip searches and invasive body searches, and the recognition that disciplinary sanctions for inmates must never include a prohibition of family contact, especially with children. They ensure that a portion of inmates' earnings are placed in a savings fund to be made available on release, and include the development of strategies to provide gender-specific and individualized psychosocial and psychiatric support, and prevent suicide and self-harm. The memorandum also commendably requires that: "The treatment of prisoners should emphasize not their exclusion from the community, but their continuing part in it," and urges flexibility and assistance for visiting friends and relatives, where needed. In order to ensure that these commendable guidelines offer effective and sustainable protection for BuCor detainees, the next step must be to make them legally binding. Meanwhile, as welfare programmes and guidelines are being championed and developed across this vast penal network, and steps to centralize its procedures are taken, the chance to mainstream gender in policy, operational guidelines and training is being missed. As the number of female detainees continues to grow, it is critical that their needs and human rights are adequately reflected in these processes, in accordance with international standards. Given the positive practices found in visits to both BuCor and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facilities, it is clear that coordination and lesson sharing between staff across these systems could go a long way in achieving this. Details: Copenhagen: Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY), 2015. 43p. Source: Internet Resource: DIGNITY Publication Series on Torture and Organised Violence no. 11: Accessed June 13, 2016 at: https://dignityinstitute.org/media/2066109/pubserieswid11.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Philippines URL: https://dignityinstitute.org/media/2066109/pubserieswid11.pdf Shelf Number: 139427 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersPrisonsWomen Prisoners |
Author: Baker, Jo Title: Conditions for Women in Detention in Albania: Needs, Vulnerabilities and Good Practices Summary: What are the particular needs, issues, risks and vulnerabilities that face imprisoned women across the world? What challenges and promising practices are common in their management? And where do these practices fall in relation to international standards? These questions lie at the heart of DIGNITY's research into conditions for women in detention in four countries - of which this Albania country study is one part. The management of women in Albania's prison system has shown growing consideration for their special needs. Until recently this was not systematic, but reflected in the work of enlightened officials in the prison system, and NGOs. However in 2014 the State made a commendable series of gender-sensitive amendments to the prison law, and transferred all female detainees permanently from a substandard and much-criticised pre-detention facility to the country's only prison facility for women. DIGNITY's visit to this prison in 2013, governed by its former director, revealed good practices. Findings here suggest that when gender-sensitive staff can support female inmates emotionally, reduce trauma and stigma, treat health issues, and connect inmates with their families and special services, then morale will likely be higher, rights better protected, and the chances of rehabilitation greater. Importantly, DIGNITY found outreach efforts being made by staff to the families of inmates, which responds to the often-greater need and challenge of detained women to contact the outside world, particularly their children. We found preventive healthcare and education that addressed the often-lower levels of health knowledge and access to care in women's backgrounds. Other significant findings included willingness by the administration to open the prison to the community outside of its walls in order to help combat the harmful effects of stigma, isolation and abandonment among detainees (as summarized in the section, What Matters Most). Each of these responses addresses an important provision in the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules), although they were not all implemented systematically or protected as law or policy. However, the facility faces significant infrastructure and resource challenges, particularly now that it also houses pre-trial detainees, and in this respect it is considered by staff and NGOs to be among the worst in the penal system in certain respects. Hygiene facilities are inadequate, and living quarters are run-down and lack the space, ventilation and heat required by international standards. Although inmates can train and work, they are not equally remunerated, and the very low rates of pay place them and their dependents in a vulnerable position on release. The over-use of pre-trial detention for low-risk offenders, which often stretches to months if not years, is also of serious concern. Finally, the practice of regularly redistributing or removing prison staff, at all levels, as happened after the 2013 General Election, arbitrarily interrupts relationships, trainings and programmes that have been tailored to a particularly vulnerable population, and may well as a result, do harm. This requires further consideration. Details: Copenhagen: Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY), 2015. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: DIGNITY Publication Series on Torture and Organised Violence no. 10: Accessed June 13, 2016 at: https://dignityinstitute.org/media/2066108/pubserieswid10.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Albania URL: https://dignityinstitute.org/media/2066108/pubserieswid10.pdf Shelf Number: 139428 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersPrisonsWomen Prisoners |
Author: Baker, Jo Title: Conditions for Women in Detention in Jordan: Needs, Vulnerabilities and Good Practices Summary: What are the particular needs, issues, risks and vulnerabilities that face imprisoned women across the world? What challenges and promising practices are common in their management? And where do these practices fall in relation to international standards? These questions lie at the heart of DIGNITY's research into conditions for women in detention in four countries - of which this Jordan country study is one part. The strong social norms and forms of discrimination that women face in Jordan reach deep into places of detention, and their experience of being detained. To be a detained woman here, in many cases, is to lose touch with the majority of your family members and your children despite an acute need for intimate and social contact, and to feel isolated from the outside world. It is often to be heavily stigmatized by your own community, and by prison staff. It is to have likely experienced forms of gender-based violence before entering prison - some physically and mentally debilitating in the name of honour - and to not receive the help that you need in order to recover. And it is to have many of your other needs and human rights go largely unmet and unprotected, including the right to rehabilitation. In its management of women there are some areas in which Jordan's Public Security Directorate (PSD) complies with core human rights treaties and other international standards. Detained women are commendably well-protected from gender-based violence by men in most cases because of the strict segregation by sex that takes place between inmates and DIGNITY's research among women's prisons and prison communities staff from the moment of arrest. Torture of women is also rarely reported. Some physical conditions in the main prison for women in Amman comply with basic minimum rules. However in many other ways, Jordan fails to meet the gender-specific needs and human rights of its female judicial and administrative detainees. The most serious violations reported during this study were the inhuman and degrading treatment of female inmates by prison officers, particularly during admissions processes, and inadequate staff intervention in violence between inmates in the Juweida Women's Correctional and Rehabilitation Center (JWC or 'Juweida') that included cases of threats, sexual molestation, beating and burnings. Gender-specific healthcare was largely absent, including mental healthcare, and some basic sanitary products are not provided for free. No structured rehabilitation programme is offered, and attempts to provide vocational and educational training or work, are minimal and insufficient. Although DIGNITY is informed that children under the age of three may live with their mothers in prisons, there are some unanswered questions about the extent to which this option is provided, both generally, and in regard to children who are born outside of marriage - including those born as a result of rape. Detainees feel profoundly isolated, struggle to access information and outside contact - particularly those with children - and can face disrespectful and harsh attitudes from female frontline staff (as summarized in the section What Matters Most. These factors in particular appear to account for a low general morale. Levels of depression appear high and incidents of self-harm, including hunger strikes, are not uncommon. This environment is particularly harmful for those who have experienced extreme violence, those who have been separated from their babies or young children, and those who are detained indefinitely, involuntarily and without due process under the 1954 Crime Prevention Law, for the ostensible purpose of their own protection (known also as 'protective', 'preventive' or 'precautionary' detention), including foreign migrants and/or rape victims. The situation of foreign migrants, many of whom lack proper identification or residency documents (often as victims of labour rights violations) and have very little contact with their families and lawyers, is also of particular concern. These women are often held in temporary detention, where information about them and their conditions is difficult to obtain. Combinations of these factors above intersect in detention among both Jordanian and foreign women, creating an axis of tremendous harm and vulnerability. As Jordan enters a phase in which it is amending key legislation related to the criminal procedure, drafting a new national human rights plan, and engaging in dialogue under the review of key UN bodies, it is hoped that the situation of this group receive the attention it so urgently requires. Details: Copenhagen: Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY), 2015. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: DIGNITY Publication Series on Torture and Organised Violence no. 9: Accessed June 13, 2016 at: https://dignityinstitute.org/media/2066001/pubseriesno9_wid_jordan.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Jordan URL: https://dignityinstitute.org/media/2066001/pubseriesno9_wid_jordan.pdf Shelf Number: 139429 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersPrisonsWomen Prisoners |
Author: Prison Reform Trust Title: Working it out: Employment for women offenders Summary: Executive summary - Employment outcomes for women following short prison sentences are three times worse than for men - fewer than one in ten women have a job to go to on release - Lack of childcare support, lack of qualifications, and low pay are barriers to employment for many women offenders - Employment is one of the nine pathways to reducing reoffending for women but much more can be done to tackle employer prejudice and reluctance to employ former offenders - Lack of women-only unpaid work placements constrains the use of appropriate community sentences for women - Community services such as women's centres are uniquely placed to help women offenders, and those at risk of offending, address individual barriers to employment and support them to build the skills, training and confidence they need to get ready for work - Women are more likely than men to have claimed out-of-work benefits prior to, and post, time in custody - In a recent survey of women prisoners, 61% said they would like paid employment of some kind on release, with a further 27% wanting to do voluntary work - The release on temporary licence (ROTL) scheme facilitates day-release for women in prison to undertake work and training opportunities in the community and reduces the risk of reoffending but is underused and under threat - The new statutory provision requiring probation and resettlement services to identify and address women's specific rehabilitation needs must be carefully monitored to ensure it delivers the intended improvements, particularly to employment opportunities and outcomes - The government should implement a strategy to increase employment opportunities and programmes for women with criminal convictions - this should include employer incentives. Details: London: Prison Reform Trust, 2015. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 25, 2016 at: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Women/Employmentbriefing.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Women/Employmentbriefing.pdf Shelf Number: 139851 Keywords: Ex-Offender EmploymentFemale OffendersGender Specific ResponsesPrisoner Reentry |
Author: Prison Reform Trust Title: Home truths: housing for women in the criminal justice system Summary: The failure to solve a chronic shortage of suitable housing options for women who offend leads to more crime, more victims and more unnecessary and costly imprisonment. Safe, secure housing is crucial in breaking that cycle and the harm it causes to our communities, to the women involved and to their families. Many women lose their homes while in custody and 60% of women prisoners may not have homes to go to on release. - Because women are often imprisoned further from their homes than men, they can have more difficulty in retaining a 'local connection', which is a common precondition for local authority housing. - A lack of appropriate and safe accommodation increases the risk of (re)offending - without stable housing it is harder to engage in employment and training, or to access support services. - Hostel accommodation may expose women to potentially risky situations. - Suitable accommodation options for women, especially those with children or those affected by substance misuse, mental health problems, or domestic abuse are in short supply. Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic women are over-represented in prison, and face additional barriers to housing. - There is a lack of clarity and consistency about responsibility for the housing of women offenders. - Women in prison need more timely advice about their housing options and support to sustain tenancies or apply for housing. - Communication, cooperation and joined up working between prison authorities, probation services, housing providers, and local authorities needs to be urgently improved. Details: London: PRT, 2016. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 27, 2016 at: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Home%20Truths.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Home%20Truths.pdf Shelf Number: 146149 Keywords: Female OffendersHomelessnessHousingPrisoner Reentry |
Author: Masson, Isla MacMarquis Title: The long-term impact of short periods of imprisonment on mothers Summary: This research examines how even an initial short period in prison negatively impacts mothers and their children. It involves a series of semi-structured interviews with 16 mothers during and post-custody; looking at the different ways in which multiple aspects of their lives are negatively affected for longer periods than their incarceration. It is argued that prison often increases the social disadvantages that many of the women encounter on a day-to-day basis. Based on this research it is suggested that the morally significant harms of prison need to be considered at the time of sentencing. Incarceration is not just about a temporary loss of liberty, even short terms in prison have longer multi-dimensional consequences. The thesis will begin by looking at the use of remand for women as well as examining the sentencing rationales for the use of short sentences. It will explore the problems with these forms of punishment, particularly for non-violent, and often vulnerable, women. It will be argued that these women experience multiple pains of incarceration, often compounded by the short period in which they are imprisoned. It will be suggested that their feelings of injustice may affect whether they are able to embrace any opportunities in prison and address feelings of guilt. The thesis will also examine these mothers' experiences post-custody, describing which problems are on-going, which are resolved and what new unexpected problems arise. Given that they are mothers, their understanding of the harm of the separation to their children will also be explored. It will be concluded that the punishment should be balanced against the rights of mothers and their children. As such the use of short sentences for women should be significantly reduced, however if they continue to be used there need to be a series of changes to minimise the harms caused to this group. Details: London: King's College London, 2014. 278p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed October 14, 2016 at: https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/files/40829056/2014_Masson_Isla_0945442_ethesis.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/files/40829056/2014_Masson_Isla_0945442_ethesis.pdf Shelf Number: 144806 Keywords: Children of PrisonersFamilies of InmatesFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale Prisoners |
Author: Wenke, Daja Title: Marginalized: The Aboriginal Women's experience in Federal Corrections Summary: The story of how so many Aboriginal women came to be locked up within federal penitentiaries is a story filled with a long history of dislocation and isolation, racism, brutal violence as well as enduring a constant state of poverty beyond poor. The aforementioned factors combined have culminated into the current crisis of highly disproportionate rates of Aboriginal women in the Canadian Federal Corrections system. The current state of over-representation is nothing short of a crisis; that being said it has been a crisis for quite some time now1 with reports from as far back as the 1980s identifying the issue and predicting that the numbers would only increase. Given the current state of the system, absent immediate change, the outlook is bleak for Aboriginal women, their families and communities. Aboriginal peoples account for 4% of the Canadian population; however, within the federal corrections population, Aboriginal peoples comprise 20% of the total incarcerated offender population. The over-representation is even more pronounced in terms of Aboriginal women incarceration rates: As of April 2010, Aboriginal women accounted for 32.6% of the total female offender population, this means that one out of every three women federally incarcerated is of Aboriginal descent. The rates at which Aboriginal women are incarcerated have been on the rise for quite some time. Over the past 10 years, the representation of Aboriginal women has increased by nearly 90%; as such they represent the fastest growing offender population. Furthermore, there is no indication of any anticipated decline. As of April 2010, there were 164 Aboriginal women serving federal sentences. Aboriginal women in federal penitentiaries tend to be younger than their non-Aboriginal counterparts. The Aboriginal female offender profile when compared to that of the non-Aboriginal female indicates that there is an age gap of 5 years and 4 months, meaning that the average age of the Aboriginal female inmate is 34 years old. Overall, Aboriginal people have a higher representation in the 21-40 year old age group than non-Aboriginal offenders and the trend is even more pronounced in regard to Aboriginal female offenders - 39% of the total Aboriginal female offender population are within this age group. Furthermore, the face of the new offender population in terms of Aboriginal people is younger than those Aboriginal persons already incarcerated. Given that Aboriginal peoples are the fastest growing population within Canada and that the projected demographics indicate that the over-representation of Aboriginal peoples in the criminal justice system will only continue to grow, aggressive action must be taken now to address the issues of Aboriginal women in federal corrections. However, it is highly unlikely that the issues of such a marginalized population will receive the attention and resources necessary to even begin to address the multitude of issues. Absent political will, fundamental change will not occur within the system. Furthermore, given the political climate of late, there is no indication that effective change for Aboriginal women in Corrections will occur anytime soon. The Federal Government's "Tough on Crime Agenda" does nothing to ameliorate the disproportionate rates at which Aboriginal peoples are incarcerated - quite the opposite, in terms of Aboriginal peoples' over-representation within the justice system, the federal government's current plan will only serve to further increase the numbers and worsen the already staggering injustice experienced by Aboriginal peoples as a whole. Details: Ottawa: Aboriginal Corrections Policy Unit Public Safety Canada, 2012. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 21, 2016 at: https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/mrgnlzd/mrgnlzd-eng.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: Shelf Number: 131161 Keywords: Aboriginal PeoplesFemale InmatesFemale OffendersWomen Prisoners |
Author: Gerry, Felicity Title: Women in prison: is the justice system fit for purpose? Summary: This discussion paper builds upon our first paper Women in Prison: Is the penal system fit for purpose? That paper was presented at a forum hosted by Halsbury's Law Exchange on 11 November 2014. In the paper, we adopted what we considered to be a realistic approach to the issue of reform, accepting that some women will receive custodial sentences upon conviction. However drawing upon research conducted by various organisations including the Ministry of Justice, we noted that the inevitable conclusion to be drawn from the data was that the penal system is failing women. For example, it is clear that women prisoners are far more likely than their male counterparts to have mental health issues, to self-harm and be dependent on drugs. We acknowledge the commitment made by the then Minister Simon Hughes MP at the 2014 forum to address these issues and some of the efforts made by the Ministry of Justice since, including comparative statistical analysis. We note, however, that statistics on exploitation, abuse and coercion are not included as either reasons for non-prosecution or as mitigating factors at sentencing. Our 2014 paper was originally created with a view to a full report in 2015 on penal policy and rehabilitation for women. However, in the intervening period stakeholders published comprehensive reports and publications which address many of the issues we raised. We have set these out in our comprehensive bibliography but draw attention in particular to the work of the Prison Reform Trust in their women's programme and Bromley Prison briefings, and the work of the Howard League for Penal Reform and their participation in and publication of the work of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Women in the Penal System. Since our last paper, numbers of female prisoners have fallen but most women are still experiencing the devastating effects of short term sentences.8 Incidents of self-harm by female prisoners also seem to be falling but many are still reporting having experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse as a child and domestic violence.9 The closing of HMP Holloway prison has raised concerns that the priority is selling of valuable estate rather than providing housing, family links and alternative services.10 These issues and more mean that this paper and the linked forum are still necessary to discuss the justice system and whether it is fit for purpose for women. Details: London: Halsbury's Law Exchange, 2016. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 16, 2016 at: http://blogs.lexisnexis.co.uk/halsburyslawexchange/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2016/11/SA-1016-077-Women-in-Prison-Paper-ONLINE-FINAL.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://blogs.lexisnexis.co.uk/halsburyslawexchange/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2016/11/SA-1016-077-Women-in-Prison-Paper-ONLINE-FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 144848 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale Offenders |
Author: Great Britain. Ministry of Justice Title: Statistics on Women and the Criminal Justice System 2015. Summary: This publication compiles statistics from data sources across the Criminal Justice System (CJS), to provide a combined perspective on the typical experiences of women who come into contact with it. It considers how these experiences have changed over time and how they contrast to the typical experiences of men. No causative links can be drawn from these summary statistics, and no controls have been applied to account for differences in circumstances between the males and females coming into contact with the CJS (e.g. average income or age); differences observed may indicate areas worth further investigation, but should not be taken as evidence of unequal treatment or as direct effects of sex. In general, females appear to have been substantially under-represented as offenders throughout the CJS compared with males. This is particularly true in relation to the most serious offence types and sentences, though patterns by sex vary between individual offences. Females were also typically underrepresented among practitioners in the CJS and among victims of violent crime, although they were more likely than males to have been a victim of intimate violence or child abuse. Trends over time for each sex often mirror overall trends, though this is not always the case. Victimisation According to the Crime Survey of England and Wales, there was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of women and men that were victims of crime in 2015/16. Women were less likely than men to think that the CJS is fair and more likely to believe that crime is rising. Women were more likely to have been subject to abuse as children, particularly sexual assault. They were less likely to be victims of violent crime in general, but much more likely to be victims of sexual assault or domestic violence – and female homicide victims were far more likely than their male equivalents to have a current or former partner be the principal suspect for their death. Police Activity Less than a quarter of those given a penalty notice for disorder (22%) or caution (24%) were female. Women were underrepresented to an even greater extent among those arrested (16%), who are typically being dealt with for more serious offences than those dealt with out of court. For both out of court disposals and arrests, females were particularly likely to have been dealt with for theft offences. Defendants Over the last decade, the number of females prosecuted has risen by 6%, driven by increases in prosecutions for TV license evasion, while the number of males prosecuted has fallen by a third. Nevertheless, in line with police activity, females were still substantially underrepresented among those prosecuted, at just over a quarter of the total (27%). This is broadly mirrored in convictions, remands and sentencing, although women have a slightly higher conviction ratio. Women were more likely to be sentenced to fines and conditional discharges and less likely to be sentenced to custody, compared with men. They also received shorter immediate custodial sentences on average, with the gap increasing over the last decade, driven by increases in the number of prosecutions and average custodial sentence length of male sexual offenders. Offender Characteristics Females made up a quarter of first time offenders, but only one in seven of those dealt with who had a previous caution or conviction. Males were more likely to be sentenced to immediate custody and to receive custodial sentences of 6 months or longer than females with a similar criminal history. Three-fifths of offences committed by women with 15 or more previous cautions or convictions related to theft, compared with only two-fifths for men. Although males were more likely to reoffend, females had a higher number of proven reoffences on average per reoffender. Females were slightly more likely than males to reoffend following a short custodial sentence, but considerably less likely to reoffend following longer ones. Offenders under supervision or in custody Women represented only 5% of the prison population, a proportion that has fallen over the last decade. However, in line with sentencing patterns, women were typically serving shorter sentences and represented almost 9% of those admitted to custody. Female prisoners reported feeling better supported in prison, but less safe, and they were more likely to self-harm and self-harm more frequently than men. There were lower rates of assault in female prisons, but a slightly higher proportion of disciplinary incidents relative to the population. Women typically had shorter periods of probation and fewer requirements. They were also more likely than men to participate in education in prison, to be granted home detention curfew if eligible, to make a success of release on temporary license and to have their probation orders terminated early for good progress. Offence analysis A range of differences between the sexes could be seen when individual offences are examined; typical behaviours and outcomes vary between men and women at an offence level. For example, while women were more likely than men to have been prosecuted for TV license evasion, typical sentencing behaviour was the same for both sexes, whereas prosecutions for benefit fraud were close to evenly split between men and women, but males typically received more serious sentences. Trends also vary over time at an offence level: for example, women were becoming less likely to receive an immediate custodial sentence for indictable drug offence, while males were not. In line with overall trends, however, the differences that exist at offence level usually represent either less involvement or less serious involvement in the CJS for women than men. Practitioners Women were substantially underrepresented among the police and judiciary, at just over a quarter of practitioners, but represented more than half of those working in the Ministry of Justice, Crown Prosecution Service and female prison estate. In general, CJS functions involving direct contact with offenders had fewer females than males (and vice versa for those that do not), but the proportions have been slowly getting more equal since 2011. Female representation among senior staff was considerably lower than in the general workforce for all CJS organisations, but proportions have been rising. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2016. 172p. Source: Internet Resource: A Ministry of Justice publication under Section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991: Accessed December 7, 2016 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/572043/women-and-the-criminal-justice-system-statistics-2015.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/572043/women-and-the-criminal-justice-system-statistics-2015.pdf Shelf Number: 147933 Keywords: Crime StatisticsCriminal Justice SystemsFemale OffendersFemale Police OfficersFemale VictimsVictims of Crime |
Author: Butcher, Kristin F. Title: Comparing Apples to Oranges: Differences in Women's and Men's Incarceration and Sentencing Outcomes Summary: Using detailed administrative records, we find that, on average, women receive lighter sentences in comparison with men along both extensive and intensive margins. Using parametric and semi-parametric decomposition methods, roughly 30% of the gender differences in incarceration cannot be explained by the observed criminal characteristics of offense and offender. We also find evidence of considerable heterogeneity across judges in their treatment of female and male offenders. There is little evidence, however, that tastes for gender discrimination are driving the mean gender disparity or the variance in treatment between judges. Details: Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research, 2017. 48p., app. Source: Internet Resource: NBER Working Paper Series, Working Paper 23079: Accessed January 25, 2017 at: http://www.nber.org/papers/w23079 Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: http://www.nber.org/papers/w23079 Shelf Number: 146420 Keywords: Female OffendersGender DisparitiesSentencingSentencing Disparities |
Author: Rope, Olivia Title: Women in Detention: Putting the UN Bangkok Rules on women prisoners into practice Summary: This training resource has been designed to support stakeholders to put the UN Bangkok Rules on women offenders and prisoners into practice. It draws on global good practice and research findings to provide practical guidance, using exercises and case studies. At the end of the ten modules, you will have the tools and knowledge to design gender-sensitive policies and practices for women offenders and prisoners and apply them in your professional role. The Workbook includes: 10 modules, with clear learning objectives brainstorming to develop new ideas exercises to check your understanding case studies to help you apply international standards good practices to inspire new thinking and provide solutions additional resources to delve deeper into specific topics end-of-module quizzes to assess your understanding. While the Workbook has been designed as a self-learning tool, it can also be used as part of group training sessions. It is designed for prison staff, policy‑makers, healthcare practitioners, representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, and other interested stakeholders. Details: London: Penal Reform International, 2017. 188p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 2, 2017 at: https://cdn.penalreform.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/PRI_BR_Workbook_WEB_lowres-1.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: https://cdn.penalreform.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/PRI_BR_Workbook_WEB_lowres-1.pdf Shelf Number: 141294 Keywords: Bangkok RulesDetention PracticesFemale InmatesFemale OffendersGender-Specific PracticesWomen Prisoners |
Author: Prison Reform Trust Title: Why focus on reducing women's imprisonment? Summary: Key points • The women's prison population in England and Wales more than doubled between 1995 and 2010 - from under 2,000 women to over 4,000. The numbers have since declined by over 10% – from 4,279 women in April 2012 to 3,821 in April 2016. But the UK still has one of the highest rates of women’s imprisonment in Western Europe. • Women are a small minority of those in the criminal justice system, representing less than 5% of the prison population, and are easily overlooked in policy, planning, and services - they have been described as 'correctional afterthoughts'. • The drivers and patterns of women’s offending are generally different from men’s. • Most of the solutions to women's offending lie in improved access to community based support services, including women’s centres. These enable women to address underlying problems which may lead to offending but which the criminal justice system cannot solve. • The impact of imprisonment on women, more than half of whom have themselves been victims of serious crime, is especially damaging and their outcomes are worse than men's. • Most women have neither a home nor a job to go to on release. • Women are much more likely to be primary carers, with children far more directly affected by a prison sentence as a result. Details: London: PRT, 2017. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Prison Reform Trust Briefing: Accessed March @, 2017 at: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Women/whywomen.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Women/whywomen.pdf Shelf Number: 141301 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersPrison ReformWomen Prisoners |
Author: Iowa Task Force for Young Women Title: Serious, Violent and Chronic Juvenile Female Offenders: Service and System Recommendations for Iowa Summary: Serious, violent, and chronic juvenile female offenders are at the center of a system and service crisis in juvenile justice; this plan is about them and what they need to succeed. Crisis is a strong word to use to describe the absence of appropriate services in Iowa for the small number of girls who have the highest level of risk and need according to the Iowa Delinquency Assessment and are the greatest threat to public safety. Yet, for those girls and their families, as well as for the state, it is a crisis. This document is not simply a set of recommendations; it is about these girls and the systems responsible for them. The number of girls who need specialized and intensive service, and who may provide a risk to those around them, is relatively small, but these girls are no less important. This full report is focused on those girls and how Iowa will provide the appropriate level of service and system supports. First, there is a need to understand the current situation in Iowa and the context in which recommendations are made. No part of this document stands alone. Its focus on high risk, high need girls tells the story of how girls and boys think and respond differently, what services are effective with girls, and how Iowa might – for the first time – establish practices, services, and systems that are most effective for girls. This report is not critical of the services and system for boys; rather, it emphasizes and shows that girls do not fit into or respond well in a male-centric system. The reader is asked to consider the contents of this document as a whole in order to grasp the key elements and the value and impact of the recommendations. Services that are the most effective for girls take gender into account; yet these types of services are not universally recognized or provided in Iowa. This plan focuses in on the small number of girls with the most serious risks and deepest needs. Practically speaking, today there is no placement of last resort for these girls in Iowa where they can receive the highest level of treatment and services and where public safety is ensured. Of the thousands of girls charged with violating Iowa law, most will never reoffend, and the system is designed to limit contact with the low-risk offender. Only a small number ever move from informal to formal involvement with the courts. This report addresses an even smaller subset of that population. Details: Des Moines, IA: The Task Force, 2017. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 7, 2017 at: https://humanrights.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/media/Serious,%20Violent%20and%20Chronic%20Juvenile%20Female%20Offenders%20Report.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://humanrights.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/media/Serious,%20Violent%20and%20Chronic%20Juvenile%20Female%20Offenders%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 141368 Keywords: Female Juvenile OffendersFemale OffendersJuvenile Justice SystemJuvenile OffendersSerious Offenders |
Author: Miles, Rosie Title: Restorative Justice: Female Offenders in Restorative Justice Conferences Summary: The use of restorative justice looks set to increase over the coming years. There is general academic consensus that restorative justice performs highly in terms of victim satisfaction and Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that it can significantly reduce the reoffending of those offenders who take part. However, much of the evidence is based on research with male offenders. This report examines the experiences of female offenders (women and girls) in restorative justice conferences, through a literature review of the available evidence and then through interviews with restorative justice practitioners who have worked with both male and female offenders. The interviews with practitioners focused on the following questions: 1 Do restorative justice practitioners treat male and female offenders differently? 2 What types of cases involving female offenders go to conference? 3 Do practitioners notice any differences between male and female offenders in terms of how they react to the restorative justice process? 4 Are there risks with female offenders that practitioners think should be given particular consideration? Details: London: Griffins Society, 2013. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Research paper 2013/02: Accessed May 1, 2017 at: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/system/files/papers/fullreport/research_paper_2013_02.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/system/files/papers/fullreport/research_paper_2013_02.pdf Shelf Number: 145218 Keywords: Female OffendersRestorative Justice Victim-Offender Medication |
Author: Deedes, Rosie Title: 'Double invisibility': Recalled and female - and forgotten in the Criminal Justice System? Summary: This research looked at the reasons that women return to custody following a breach of licence (recall). Its purpose was to find out more about why women come back to custody; to see if there were discrepancies in the reporting; and to find out whether there were certain women more at risk of being recalled than others. The research also asked whether women who had been recalled had particular difficulties resettling into the community. Findings The increase in number of recalls is due to legislation, government attitude, pressure from the media, changes in probation culture and ethos, and greater emphasis on risk avoidance. Offenders, who have chaotic lives are more likely to find it difficult to comply with their licence conditions so they are returned to custody more quickly than offenders who are more organised and have stronger support structures. Offender Managers are less likely to address the welfare needs of these offenders directly because of recent changes in ethos. They are less able to respond to particular difficulties offenders face during the transition from prison to community or their general resettlement needs. Women with complex needs are more disadvantaged by these changes. It is harder to secure accommodation for female than male offenders. This means that when women are recalled they may be held in prison longer than men. A trusting relationship between offender and Offender Manager may contribute to the successful completion of a licence period; however there are practical and emotional obstacles making it more difficult for some women to establish this kind of relationship. Professionals have less experience of working with women released from custody than men and possibly have less understanding of women's specific needs. Recommendations 1. Simplify the language used on licences, the number of conditions routinely used, and make the most subjective conditions clearer and offender-specific. 2. Record accurate and detailed statistics about the numbers of male and female offenders recalled; how quickly postrelease breach occurs; and which conditions are breached. 3. Review the risk-avoidance approach which impacts most harshly and unfairly on offenders who are most needy. 4. Use the powers of immediate recall only in the case of serious risk to the public. 5. Ensure that offenders who do not pose immediate risk to the public have opportunities to make representation against recall before they are returned to custody. 6. Ensure that professionals involved in the process of recall have greater understanding of the needs of complex women offenders, and allow them more discretion in applying rules of breach and recall. 7. Target interventions and support for offenders most at risk of recall, through multi agency work, pre- and post-release. 8. Provide consistent support for those most at risk of recall, especially female offenders, so that they can develop trusting relationships with an individual whilst in prison and after release, and use the model of welfare support when it is considered appropriate to do so. 9. Encourage additional research into this subject - to compare male and female offenders who are recalled, and to gather quantitative data about the characteristics of offenders who are recalled as opposed to offenders who successfully complete their licenses. 10. Increase the 'visibility' of recalled women. Details: London: Griffins Society, 2009. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Paper 2009/03: Accessed May 2, 2017 at: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/system/files/papers/fullreport/research_paper_2009_03_deedes.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/system/files/papers/fullreport/research_paper_2009_03_deedes.pdf Shelf Number: 145230 Keywords: Female OffendersProbation Revocation |
Author: Cantora, Andrea Title: Perceptions of Community Corrections: Understanding how Women's Needs are met in an Evidence-Based/Gender-Responsive Halfway House Summary: This dissertation presents a qualitative study on how women perceive and experience services at an evidence-based, gender-responsive halfway house. The primary focus was to understand how the halfway house helps women address their needs as they prepare to reenter the community. The secondary focus was to understand how the halfway house implements evidence-based principles and gender-responsive strategies. This study analyzed in-depth qualitative interviews with 33 women. Data from these interviews were triangulated with observations of treatment groups and daily interactions, review of program documents, review of participant case files, and informal conversations with staff. Findings suggest that many positive and negative features of the halfway house - including social context, relationships with staff, and program policies - contribute to women's ability to address their needs and prepare for reentry. Findings also draw attention to the influence of external factors including outside resources, social networks, housing availability, the stigma of a criminal record, systemic policies, geographic boundaries, and program length of stay. The interconnections between ecological systems also influence the transitional process and were highlighted in this study. Recommendations for improving community correctional services for women were discussed. Details: New York: City University of New York, 2011. 286p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 10, 2017 at: http://search.proquest.com/docview/876931779?pq-origsite=gscholar Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://search.proquest.com/docview/876931779?pq-origsite=gscholar Shelf Number: 146039 Keywords: Community CorrectionsEvidence-Based ProgramsFemale OffendersGender-Specific ProgrammingHalfway Houses |
Author: Nelson-Dusek, Stephanie Title: Look Up and Hope: Final Evaluation Report Summary: Since its founding in 1896, Volunteers of America has supported and empowered America's most vulnerable populations, including those returning from prison. The past several decades have seen a particularly staggering rise in the growth of mothers affected by incarceration. Between 1991 and midyear 2007, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that the number of mothers in federal and state prisons had increased 122 percent. During the same period, the number of children with mothers in prison had more than doubled, rising to almost 150,000 children nationwide. To address this issue, Volunteers of America launched Look Up and Hope, an innovative initiative that works with the whole family - mother, caregiver, and child - to improve the lives of those affected by maternal incarceration. Over the past five years, Wilder Research has evaluated Look Up and Hope to determine the impact that the program has on families. This final evaluation report illustrates the successes and challenges of those participating in the program. Successes - Strengthened families: After participating in Look Up and Hope, families appear to have stronger connections - meaning increased quantity and quality of contact between mothers, children, and caregivers. For example, 61 percent of children were either living with their mother or had increased contact with her, and 60 percent were reported to have an improved relationship with their mother. - Positive school outcomes: The majority of school-aged children (6+ years old) either increased or maintained their grades, attendance, and behavior. Most prominently, nearly four in ten (37%) children had improved their grade point average by their follow-up assessment, according to family coaches. - Healthy children and caregivers: Overall, the children and caregivers served by the program were relatively healthy. The majority of children (61%) were reported to be in good health at both their baseline and follow-up assessments, and family coaches assessed nearly all children (94%) and caregivers (93%) to have their basic needs met. - Improved parenting skills: Nearly all (97%) of the mothers who received parenting education or training showed improved knowledge of parenting skills. - Improved employment status for mothers: The majority of mothers with available follow-up data experienced a change in employment status from baseline to follow-up. For those who did, over four in ten went from unemployment to either full-time or part-time employment. In addition to the annual report, Wilder Research conducted a Social Return on Investment (SROI) study to estimate some of the potential long-term cost savings that the Look Up and Hope program could eventually provide to society. The study found that, even if the only benefits the program produced were improved long-term outcomes for some participating children (e.g., avoidance of out-of-home placements and school failures), the net cost savings to society could be as much as $48,495 per child. This represents a potential return on investment of $14.31 for every dollar invested. The full SROI (including the limitations of the analysis) is appended. Details: St. Paul, MN: Wilder Research, 2016. 144p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 28, 2017 at: https://www.wilder.org/Wilder-Research/Publications/Studies/Strengthening%20Families%20Impacted%20by%20Incarceration%20-%20Evaluation%20of%20Volunteers%20of%20America%20Programs/Look%20Up%20and%20Hope%20Final%20Evaluation%20Report,%20Full%20Report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.wilder.org/Wilder-Research/Publications/Studies/Strengthening%20Families%20Impacted%20by%20Incarceration%20-%20Evaluation%20of%20Volunteers%20of%20America%20Programs/Look%20Up%20and%20Hope%20Final%20Evaluation%20R Shelf Number: 146447 Keywords: Children of PrisonersCost-Benefit AnalysisFamilies of InmatesFemale OffendersParentingPrisoner ReentryVolunteers in criminal Justice |
Author: Severinsen, Chrissy Title: Female offending and youth justice interventions: A review of literature Summary: Crime rates are trending downwards in Aotearoa New Zealand. This includes apprehension rates for children and young people, which have remained steady or decreased over the last 20 years (Ministry of Justice, 2015). Within the youth apprehension statistics, females comprise a minority of youth offenders. In Aotearoa New Zealand, one in five young offenders is female (Ministry of Justice, 2015; Statistics NZ, 2016). The apprehension rate for all offences for females is decreasing, and for violent offences has fallen sharply in recent years (Statistics NZ, 2016). International research also shows that females commit less serious crimes, are involved in crime over shorter periods of time, and present lower risk of harm to others (Arnull & Eagle, 2009 (UK); Best, 2013 (NZ); Leve et al., 2015 (US); Sharpe & Gelsthorpe, 2009 (UK)). It has been argued that female offending forms a response to emotional and relational issues, and that a high proportion of offending females are victims of abuse or trauma. However, the lower numbers of young female offenders has meant that political and academic attention has focused on males, and the particular needs of females have not been well-considered in youth justice systems (Arnull & Eagle, 2009 (UK); Criminal Justice Joint Inspection [CJJI](UK), 2014; Fitzgerald et al., 2012 (Australia)). There is also relatively little published research in New Zealand detailing profiles of young female offenders, or of effective gender-responsive interventions and strategies (Best, 2013 (NZ); Lynch, 2014 (NZ)). However, Swift's (2011; 2014a (NZ)) recent examination of young women's violent and anti-social behaviour in the Tasman Policing District of New Zealand, highlights the role that wider risk factors play in contributing to this and suggests community responses. Worldwide, juvenile justice systems have developed primarily in response to male offending (Arnull & Eagle, 2009 (UK); CJJI, 2014 (UK); Sharpe & Gelsthorpe, 2009 (UK)). It has been suggested that interventions designed to meet the needs of males may not be effective in meeting the needs of females (Arnull & Eagle, 2009 (UK)). A growing body of literature now advocates for the need to respond to differing and specific needs of offending females, in order to be effective (Arnull & Eagle, 2009 (UK); Best, 2013 (NZ); Walker et al., 2016 (US)). This literature review examines national and international literature on offending by young females and intervention programmes considered to be effective with females. Databases including Scopus, Academic Search Premier, and Google Scholar were searched using a combination and variations of the terms 'females', 'offending', 'intervention', 'programme', 'gender', 'responsive', 'juvenile', 'justice', 'delinquency', 'crime', 'female', 'young', 'women', and 'youth'. The resulting literature was reviewed and refined to those which covered the characteristics and profiles of young female offenders, or the characteristics and effectiveness of practice and interventions with females, including gender-specific practice. The review begins with a discussion of young women's pathways into offending, focusing on familial, contextual and individual risk factors that increase the likelihood of offending. It also considers protective factors which may reduce the likelihood of offending by reducing risk exposure, and it explores key differences between males and females who offend. This literature suggests while that females and males share many risk factors for offending, it remains unclear regarding the reasons for the gender gap in offending rates. Some authors emphasise that females experience a greater number of risks and as such have higher rates of mental illness, abuse and victimisation, and family conflict but it is not clear why this does not translate into equal or higher rates of offending (Fagan et al., 2007(US); Fagan & Lindsey, 2014 (US); Walker et al., 2016 (US)). Females are also recognised as having higher levels of welfare need, specifically related to the prevalence of and their vulnerability to abuse and victimisation (CJJI, 2014 (UK)). There appear to be a set of complex interactions between risk and protective factors; it is not possible to identify one explanatory factor or group of factors that predict female entry into, continuation of, and desistance from offending (Arnull & Eagle, 2009). Nonetheless, there are increasing calls to account for differences between young female offenders and both young male and adult women offenders, in addition to recognising the heterogeneity within the young female offending population (Arnull & Eagle, 2009 (UK); van der Put, et al., 2014 (Netherlands). Secondly, the review discusses current responses to females' offending, in particular gender-responsive interventions, and characteristics of effective practice are explored. Offending by young females has received very little study in comparison to males, leaving little guiding theory or evidence regarding the most effective interventions (Leve et al., 2015 (US)). There is some evidence about interventions that are effective more generally in youth justice, but no clear patterns regarding the types of programmes that are most effective by gender (Fagan & Lindsey, 2014(US)). While gender-specific programmes have increased in popularity, there is still a very small evidence base regarding justice interventions that work for females (Arnull & Eagle, 2009 UK); Leve et al., 2015 (US); Zahn et al. 2009(US)). Some research argues that interventions which focus on background needs young people who offend have, such as elevated family and neighbourhood risks, challenges in participating in mainstream education and problematic peer relationships are valuable for both females and males (Arnull & Eagle, 2009 (UK)). The review presents core components which characterise best practice in gender-responsive youth justice systems. These include acknowledging the links between trauma and females' offending, community-based programmes and diversion mechanisms, and support for young females as they transition into adulthood. Details: Wellington, NZ: Massey University, 2016. 79p. Source: Internet Resource: Technical Report 24: Accessed July 31, 2017 at: http://www.youthsay.co.nz/massey/fms/Resilience/Documents/Female%20offending%20literature%20review.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.youthsay.co.nz/massey/fms/Resilience/Documents/Female%20offending%20literature%20review.pdf Shelf Number: 146630 Keywords: Delinquency PreventionFemale Juvenile OffendersFemale OffendersGender-Specific ProgramsInterventions |
Author: Nolan, Amanda Title: An Assessment of the Women-Centred Training Orientation Program (WCTOP) Summary: The Correctional Service of Canada's (CSC) Women Offender Sector (WOS) delivers the Women-Centred Training Orientation Program (WCTOP) to all Primary Workers/Older Sisters (CX-02 deployments, recruits, or promotions) and all Behavioural Counsellors who will be working in women offender institutions. The objective of the WCTOP is to provide staff who work with women offenders an understanding of what it means to be women-centred with women and gain knowledge on the specific needs of women offenders. More specifically, the goals of the training program are to equip staff with an understanding of women offender issues and the principles of Creating Choices, the policies and procedures related to working with women, and the ability to set boundaries and recognize the balance between safety and security and the empowerment and reintegration of women offenders. Although WCTOP is considered to provide valuable information to staff on the specific needs of women offenders, the effectiveness and perceived benefit of the training has yet to be assessed. Accordingly, the current project was an assessment of the 10-day WCTOP. Using participant and facilitator feedback on training, pre- and post-training knowledge questionnaires, and a followup knowledge retention and application survey, the current study assessed the training implementation and effectiveness. With respect to knowledge presentation, facilitators and participants found the way in which the training was presented to be effective. Facilitators found the role play exercises to be of particular value, while the participants found effective communication, the women-centred approach, and Aboriginal cultural awareness to be of most value. Areas for possible improvement included organization of content and pertinent/useful materials. Participants considered the session on 'Aboriginal culture awareness' to be the most useful, while the session on 'Personal and team issues' was considered to be the least useful. In terms of knowledge retention, participants' average scores on the knowledge assessment questionnaire increased from 63% to 79% pre- to immediately and 8-months post-training. Survey results completed by 31 staff members at 8-months post-training found that the majority considered the WCTOP training to be at least "moderately helpful" in completing their job duties working with women offenders. In terms of knowledge application, the training sessions most applied by staff were 'empowerment, meaningful and responsible choices as well as respect and dignity', 'health, self-injury, and suicide', 'conflict theory and communication skills', and 'supportive environment and shared responsibility'. As a whole, WCTOP has met its objectives of increasing knowledge and awareness of the policies and procedures that govern women offenders. In addition, participants demonstrated an understanding of women offender issues and the principles of Creating Choices Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2017. 53p. Source: Internet Resource: 2017 No. R-385: Accessed october 19, 2017 at: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-385-eng.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Canada URL: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-385-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 147738 Keywords: Corrections OfficersCorrections TrainingFemale InmatesFemale OffendersGender-Based ProgramsPrison GuardsWomen Offenders |
Author: McLean, Rachel Title: The WINDOW Study: Release from Jail: Moment of Crisis or Window of Opportunity for Female Detainees in Baltimore City? Summary: The numbers of women in prisons and jails has increased substantially in the past decade. The rate at which women are incarcerated increases each year. Female prisoners face different challenges than male prisoners. Incarcerated women are more likely than incarcerated men to have suffered from sexual abuse, be HIV positive, have a history of substance use and/or mental health issues, to be mothers, and to be unemployed at the time of arrest. Women are most often arrested for non-violent offenses such as drug possession, theft and prostitution, which stem from drug use and poverty. Women's needs upon reentry to the community differ as well, with an emphasis on family reunification, housing, drug treatment and childcare often superseding employment. Just as women differ from men in terms of their needs in prison and upon release, so do women exiting short periods of detention in jails differ from those exiting prisons. Women in jail are less likely to have had the time to make use of in-house programming than women in prison or to have post-release supervision through parole. For this reason, community based resources are needed to provide services to women exiting jails to stabilize women's lives and prevent their re-arrest. Particular attention is needed for communities in Baltimore City to which a large number of prisoners and detainees return that lack the capacity to provide jobs, housing and social support. Little is known about the needs unique to women exiting jails. The Window Study sought to identify the needs unique to women detained in the Baltimore City Women's Detention Center. One hundred forty eight female detainees at WDC were anonymously interviewed by public health graduate students from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health between January and March of 2005. The Window Study found high rates of mental illness, recent daily heroin and cocaine use, and commercial sex work among participants. Most women did not have insurance, and chronic diseases such as asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes were common. Five percent of female detainees interviewed reported being infected with HIV, and four percent reported being pregnant. Three quarters desired drug treatment upon release, and over half reported having been unable to afford drug treatment. Nearly half of detainees had no legal income prior to arrest, lacked a GED or high school diploma, and had no stable housing awaiting them upon release. An additional one fifth reported making less than $400/month. One quarter of women reported difficulties with literacy. Two-thirds did not have anyone to meet them at the moment of release. Thirty percent planned to walk or did not have a mode of transportation upon release. Eleven percent of women reported that there would be people using drugs or on probation at the place where they would be staying. Of the 80% of women with children, 58% had custody of at least one child. Women with strong family ties, insurance, and who lived in safe neighborhoods were more likely to have stable housing awaiting them upon release. Women with a history of sex work, and those who identified as bisexual or lesbian were less likely to have a place to stay upon release. The WINDOW Study identified a need for developing a continuum of care that addresses the immediate needs of women exiting pretrial detention, principally transportation, affordable housing, drug treatment, economic opportunity, assistance with entitlements and family reunification. Particular attention is needed for women struggling with addiction, lesbian and bisexual women, and those engaging in commercial sex work. Details: Baltimore, MD: Power Inside, 2005. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 7, 2017 at: http://www.realcostofprisons.org/pdfs/WINDOW%20ReportFinal.pdf Year: 2005 Country: United States URL: http://www.realcostofprisons.org/pdfs/WINDOW%20ReportFinal.pdf Shelf Number: 148060 Keywords: Drug Abuse and AddictionFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersJail InmatesSex Workers |
Author: Wilton, Geoff Title: The additive effects of women offenders' participation in multiple correctional interventions Summary: In the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), in addition to correctional programs, many other services and interventions are provided to women offenders to prepare them for release into the community and, ultimately, to reduce their risk to reoffend. Some of these services include employment and employability programs, educational programs, mental health programs and services, chaplaincy, prison visits, and social programs. While there is evidence suggesting that these types of interventions can have a positive impact on women's rehabilitation and reintegration, there is very little research that attempts to disentangle the relative contribution of participation in multiple interventions or services on women's outcomes. Since in CSC multiple correctional interventions and services are offered throughout the course of offenders' sentences, it is important to examine the extent to which these services provide "additive effects," that is, further improve the outcomes of offenders who participate in correctional programs. This study, therefore, determined the relative contribution of key services and interventions to rates of revocations of conditional release of federally sentenced women. All federally sentenced women admitted to the custody of CSC between September 2009 and August 2013 and released prior to April 13th, 2014 were included in the study (N = 918). The research design first controlled for differences between women offenders based on factors related to offending. Beginning with a control model subsequently applied to all analyses, interventions including CORCAN and CSC employment, education programs, vocational certificates, community employment centre services, prison visits, community correctional programs, and maintenance programs were added, first on their own, then all interventions significantly contributing to outcomes were added together in the final model. Previous research on federally sentenced men had found encouraging results with respect to CSC's overall approach to their rehabilitation. Likewise, this study on federally-sentenced women also found that the combination of services and interventions produced outcomes that significantly improved their chances of success on release. The most promising interventions were: (a) education programs, particularly those that enabled women to get close to obtaining a high school equivalent, (b) participation in community maintenance/booster sessions, and (c) having received at least one prison visit. When all the interventions were included in the model at the same time only prison visits and the number of education courses completed remained uniquely associated with reductions in the rates of revocations. Based on the results we can conclude that, in addition to correctional programs, other services offered to women offenders in CSC are associated with reduced revocations of conditional release even after controlling for risk factors associated with outcomes. This suggests that there are several methods by which CSC works to improve women's success on release in addition to offering correctional programs. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service Canada, 2015. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 9, 2017 at: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-369-eng.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-369-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 148098 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersRecidivismRehabilitation Programs |
Author: McFadden, Caroline R. Title: "It's Just Not Safe - Not For a Girl": Violence in the Lives of Incarcerated Women Summary: This project investigates life-history interviews from previously incarcerated Illinois women that are published on the website Women + Prison: A Site for Resistance. I use grounded coding to identify violence as a salient theme that emerges throughout the stories of women involved in the criminal justice system, both before and during incarceration. Particularly, I expose the relationship between gender violence and incarceration by discussing how gender violence facilitates incarceration and how incarceration facilitates gender violence. I identified several pre-incarceration sub-themes that expose how violence leads to criminalization and incarceration, which include the following pathways: 1) drugs, 2) street life, and 3) self defense. Upon incarceration, gender violence was perpetuated in the following ways: 1) sexual assault, 2) sexualized surveillance, 3) strip searches, 4) shackling pregnant inmates, and 5) dehumanizing treatment. Both gender violence and incarceration, I argue, are tools of social control that function to maintain power over women. Using a feminist criminological analytic framework, I explore these themes and find that they are supported by the current literature on female offenders. Details: Washington, DC: George Washington University, 2015. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed November 13, 2017 at: https://search.proquest.com/docview/1691799562?pq-origsite=gscholar Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://search.proquest.com/docview/1691799562?pq-origsite=gscholar Shelf Number: 148151 Keywords: Female Inmates Female OffendersFemale Prisoners |
Author: Weare, Siobhan Title: The Socio-Legal Response(s) to Women Who Kill: A proposed model for acknowledging their agency Summary: This thesis will explore the socio-legal response(s) to women who kill. Interrogating the constructions of "woman" and "femininity" within criminal legal discourse it will argue that the agency (that is, the ability of an individual to choose to act in a particular way) of women who kill is denied, both passively and actively within criminal legal discourse. It will be argued that denying the agency of women who kill is problematic for numerous reasons, including but not limited to, the construction and reinforcement of gender discourse surrounding femininity and issues of justice both being done and being seen to be done for women who kill and for their victims. In order to address these issues, this thesis will therefore propose an agency-based model for women who kill, which will interrupt both the passive and active agency denials which currently exist for these women. Details: Lancaster University, 2014. 320p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed November 21, 2017 at: http://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/74373/1/2015WearePhD.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/74373/1/2015WearePhD.pdf Shelf Number: 148286 Keywords: Female OffendersHomicideMurderViolence Crime |
Author: Prison Reform Trust Title: "There's a reason we're in trouble": Domestic abuse as a driver to women's offending Summary: Many women in prison have been victims of much more serious offences than the ones they are accused of, with a growing body of research indicating that women's exposure to physical, emotional and sexual abuse, including coercive control, is for some a driver of their offending. A key difference between women and men in prison is that family relationships tend to be a protective factor for men whilst, for women, relationships are more often a risk factor. Baroness Corston's study of women in the criminal justice system a decade ago found that coercion by male partners and relatives is a distinct route into criminality and prison for some women. The purpose of this briefing is to highlight the links between women's victimisation and their offending and make recommendations that will help break the cycle. Our intention is neither to pathologise nor to exculpate women offenders affected by domestic abuse, but to understand the factors underlying their offending and ensure that these are fully and fairly taken into account in decision-making by criminal justice agencies. The co-existence of victimisation and offending is now better recognised, but the links between them are still not well understood by all agencies. There has been some progress both in tackling violence and abuse against women and girls, and in the treatment of victims in the criminal justice system. Improvements in the police response and in aspects of the court process should lead to benefits for women offenders affected by domestic abuse, but challenges remain. The latest figures from the Crown Prosecution Service show a reduction in prosecutions for domestic abuse, and funding cuts to specialist domestic abuse services including refuges leave vulnerable women without support. The links between domestic abuse and offending by women require more attention in: - UK and Welsh Government strategies on tackling violence against women and girls, on women offenders, and on victims - Sentencing guidance - Frameworks of standards, guidance and training for all criminal justice professionals - police, prosecutors, offender managers, criminal defence lawyers and the judiciary - Commissioning of specialist, gender-specific support and rehabilitation programmes in prison and the community - Police responses to women offenders who may be affected by domestic abuse, including through problem solving triage and diversion schemes. Details: London: PRT, 2017. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 18, 2018 at: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Domestic_abuse_report_final_lo.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Domestic_abuse_report_final_lo.pdf Shelf Number: 148855 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceFemale OffendersViolence Against Women |
Author: Boyle, Rachel Title: She Shot Him Dead: The Criminalization of Women and the Struggle over Social Order in Chicago, 1871-1919 Summary: From 1871 to 1919, Chicago emerged as an epicenter of a struggle over social order as municipal officials and self-proclaimed reformers fought for the power to decide which people and what behavior should be designated as criminal. Studying the criminalization of women in Chicago reveals how contested categories of crime and gender changed over time and provides insight into broader battles over moral, political, and economic power in the United States. In the late nineteenth century, an intimate economy of public women fighting, drinking, and having sex for money profoundly shaped daily life in the streets, saloons, and brothels of Chicago. Municipal and moral reformers subsequently worked to control and convict public women in order to dismantle the power of the intimate economy. Into the twentieth century, police increasingly arrested women for killing their children, spouses, and lovers. Progressive Era reformers fought to control the cultural narratives that assigned criminal culpability to some women but not others. Ultimately, the Progressive Era alliance between white middle-class reformers and an emerging bureaucratic state advanced its own political and economic interests by undermining women's already limited claims to culturally acceptable feminine violence. Details: Chicago: Loyola University Chicago, 2017. 228p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed January 20, 2018 at: http://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss/2582/ Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: http://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss/2582/ Shelf Number: 148899 Keywords: Female OffendersHomicidesMurders |
Author: MacDonald, Shanna Farrell Title: Women Offenders, Substance Use, and Behaviour Summary: About four-in-five women offenders in Canada have substance use problems, and recent evidence suggests that substance use is more important in understanding women's offending than it is in men's. However, little research has focused on the differences in substance use behaviours among women and their relationship to correctional outcomes. Considering that substance use variability has been shown to inform treatment success in the community, this study examined the relationships of both substance use severity and type of user with institutional and post-release behaviour. Participants were 962 women newly admitted to a federal women's institution from February 2010 to February 2014 who completed a computerized assessment of their substance use problems. Women were categorized both based on the severity of their substance use issue and on the type of substance that was most problematic for them (none, alcohol, drugs, or alcohol and drugs). Women in each category were contrasted in terms of their demographic and offence information, their substance use behaviours, their institutional adjustment (institutional offences and segregation placements), and their post-release outcomes. Both substance use severity and type of user were found to be associated with the women's offence, risk, and substance use characteristics. As severity increased, so did the proportion of women who had committed a violent index offence and who had served a previous federal sentence. Not surprisingly, severity of problem was also associated with a more extensive history of substance use, as well as use of a wider variety of drugs. In terms of type of substance user, women in the alcohol and drug group were more likely than those in the other groups to have been convicted of a violent offence or served a previous federal sentence and had more elevated risk. The breadth of the alcohol and drug users' substance use history was also more extensive. As well, both substance use severity and type of user were associated with institutional behaviour and post-release outcome. Women with more severe substance use problems and who had used drugs (either as their sole problematic substance or together with alcohol) were more likely to be found guilty of disciplinary offences, to be placed in segregation, and to be returned to custody after their release, even after accounting for possible covariates. Overall, results emphasized the importance of considering differences in substance use among women offenders. This finding, together with the prevalence of substance use problems among women, underscores the importance of interventions in this area. The Correctional Service of Canada offers women offenders correctional programs that address the problematic behaviours directly or indirectly linked to their crime - which may include substance use. The programs aim to help women understand the impact of problematic behaviours and to enhance their ability to live balanced and crime-free lives. Conforming to this principle, at CSC, women offenders participating in correctional program create individual self-management and healing plans focused on the behaviours they identify as problematic in their own lives and offence cycles, including substance use. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service Canada, 2015. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report 2015 No. R-358: Accessed February 20, 2018 at: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-358-eng.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-358-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 149189 Keywords: Correctional ProgramsDrug Abuse and AddictionDrug Abuse and CrimeDrug OffendersFemale OffendersGender-Specific ProgramsSubstance Abuse OffendersWomen Offenders |
Author: Forrester, Pamela Title: Assessing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Women Offenders Summary: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term that describes a continuum of birth defects that may result from prenatal alcohol exposure. Examining FASD in correctional populations is important because many of the associated impairments may affect offenders' ability to adjust to an institutional environment or to benefit fully from interventions and services. While it is strongly suspected that FASD is more common among offenders than it is in the general Canadian population, prevalence estimates vary given difficulties with identifying FASD in adulthood using traditional assessment approaches. An FASD screening tool (FASD Brief Screen Checklist) was previously piloted with men offenders and found to effectively distinguish between those affected by FASD and those with non-FASD cognitive deficits or no cognitive deficits. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether a modified version of this measure, the Brief Screen Checklist for Women (BSC-W), was equally effective in identifying women offenders with FASD. A total of 23 women offenders participated in the study. In addition to the BSC-W, the women completed a battery of neuropsychological assessments and a medical intake interview, including having photographs taken for examination of the facial characteristics typical of FASD. Determination of FASD status was established jointly by a physician with expertise in FASD, a neuropsychologist, and a member of the research team. Four of the 23 women participating in the study were identified as likely to have FASD (probable FASD), five were deemed to have cognitive deficits not related to FASD, and nine had no cognitive deficits. Five women were categorized as "uncertain" because they possessed some FASD characteristics but did not meet all of the criteria. The BSC-W was effectively able to discriminate those likely to have FASD from those with non-FASD cognitive deficits and those without deficits, providing preliminary support for the applicability of this tool for women offenders. When all women with symptoms of FASD were compared to their counterparts without such symptoms, the patterns of findings were consistent with expectations based on the literature. For instance, women with FASD symptoms were more likely to have been adopted or raised in foster care. They were also more likely to experience a number of social problems: they were more likely to have had problems with school, work and employment; they reported deficits related to self-control and social skills; and they had difficulty understanding the consequences of their behaviour. In addition, almost all of the women with FASD symptoms had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - more than double the rate in women with other CNS deficits or no cognitive deficits. Overall, these preliminary results suggest that the BSC-W has promise in identifying women offenders with probable FASD. Given the impact of FASD on offenders' institutional adjustment - and the potential impacts on ability to benefit fully from correctional interventions - effective screening of women offenders for FASD could be very useful in a correctional context. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2015. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: 2015 No. R-346: Accessed March 1, 2018 at: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-346-eng.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-346-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 149304 Keywords: Correctional Programs Female Inmates Female OffendersFetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Inmates Neurological Disorders Special Needs Inmates |
Author: Owen, Barbara Title: Critical Issues Impacting Women in the Justice System: A Literature Review Summary: Passed in 2003, the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) serves as the framework for collecting descriptive data, improving policy and practice, and developing standards surrounding sexual violence in all correctional facilities. Over a decade later, practitioners and researchers alike acknowledge that implementing the Act should recognize that gender differences between female and male inmates require specific attention to female facilities. The 2012 Report of Review Panel on Prison Rape confirms the distinctive needs of female facilities in preventing sexual victimization with this statement: The Panel is aware of the paucity of resources that are available to female correctional facilities when it comes to serving the particular needs of female offenders. The Panel encourages additional research into ways of creating healthy female prisons based on data that show the relationship between institutional practices (e.g., policies on touching between inmates) and the incidence of sexual victimization. The Panel also encourages the development of training tools especially tailored to helping staff who work in female facilities in addressing such issues as maintaining proper professional boundaries and creating an environment free of verbal harassment (Mazza, 2012, p. 60). This summary literature review is but one step in the development of these training tools. In the following, we review the literature relevant to the study of violence and safety in women's prison. We begin with the demographic and background characteristics of female offenders. The pathways model is then described, which emphasizes the life experiences of women that contribute to criminal behavior. This review will then describe the subcultural elements of women's prisons that influence vulnerabilities, victimization, and violence. The types and prevalence of violence in women's prisons, particularly sexual assault, are also summarized. A summary of the National Inmate Survey, a PREA-mandated data collection that measures inmate self-reports is provided. This review then provides a summary of recent research by the authors that examines the context of gendered violence and safety in women's correctional facilities and results from a project that sought to validate an instrument intended to measure women's perceptions of safety and violence. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. National Institute of Corrections, 2014. 63p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed April 2, 2018 at: https://nicic.gov/sites/default/files/033010.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: https://nicic.gov/sites/default/files/033010.pdf Shelf Number: 149651 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersGender-Related IssuesPrison AdministrationPrison RapePrison ViolenceWomen Offender |
Author: Stewart, Lynn A. Title: Intellectual Deficits Among Incoming Federally-sentenced Men and Women Offenders: Prevalence, Profiles, Outcomes Summary: Intellectual deficits are impairments of mental abilities that affect adaptive functioning.This study estimated the prevalence of deficits as defined by IQ score among 4,396 men and 292 women offenders entering federal custody and examined the association between IQ and key offender characteristics and correctional outcomes. Results indicated that 2.8% of men scored below 70 IQ (the intellectually disabled range) on a standardized measure of intellectual functioning, rates that are roughly similar those in the Canadian population. A further 7.3% scored in the borderline range (70-79). Federally-sentenced women, however, were more likely to suffer low cognitive function than federal men. Almost 6% of incoming women have an IQ below 70 and 12.7 % score in the borderline range. Combined, these results indicate that twice as many women in CSC are within the intellectually impaired ranges than is found in the Canadian population. The results link lower IQ to lower educational achievement, unstable employment, substance abuse, and symptoms of ADHD. Offenders with lower IQ had higher overall criminal risk and criminogenic need ratings than those in the unimpaired groups. The ratings on the employment and education domain and community function domains showed the greatest difference between the higher and lower IQ groups for the men; the women, however, demonstrated higher need for lower functioning women on all domains. Lower IQ was associated with higher rates of admission to segregation and institutional charges. Analyses of the security incidents showed that while men with lower IQs were not more likely to be victims than those with higher IQ, for women, those with lower IQ were both more likely to be victims and instigators. The rate of program completions for lower IQ offenders is quite good at around 80%. Reflecting their higher risk and need ratings and more problematic institutional behaviour, men and women offenders with lower IQ spent more of their sentences incarcerated prior to release and were less likely be granted discretionary release. IQ was related to men's revocations even when age, risk and need levels, and substance abuse rating were considered. Revocation rates were low for all women, but the same pattern linking low IQ to revocations was found. Higher IQ was a protective factor for women; none of the women in the above average range returned to custody during the follow-up period. Men with lower IQs require assistance with educational and employment training and accessing community services to improve their reintegration potential while the lower functioning women require assistance with all aspects of their functioning. This is especially true for Aboriginal women whose rates of impairment were significantly higher than non-Aboriginal women. Content of CSC's correctional programs, and the pedagogical techniques applied, are consistent with what has been shown to be effective in special education programs. The targets of these programs, with their focus on self regulation skills, are appropriate to the needs of the offenders with lower IQ identified in this research. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2015. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: 2015 No. R-367: Accessed April 5, 2018 at: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-367-eng.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-367-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 149700 Keywords: Cognitive AbilitiesCorrectional ProgramsDisabilitiesFemale OffendersIntellectual DisabilitiesPrisoners |
Author: Helmus, Leslie Title: Temporary absences reduce unemployment and returns to custody for women offenders Summary: Temporary absences (TAs) allow offenders to leave the institution for short periods of time to attend to administrative matters, perform community service, strengthen family contacts, receive medical attention, attend to parental responsibilities, engage in personal development, and/or attend rehabilitative programming in the community. TAs are intended to assist in community reintegration by allowing gradual and conditional access to the community while supporting offender rehabilitation efforts. This report focused only on the rehabilitative types of TAs, excluding those granted for medical or administrative purposes (as there is less discretion in granting these absences). The purpose of the current study was to examine who received TAs and to explore the impact of participating in TAs on community outcomes for women offenders. The final sample included 1,683 women offenders released to the community between April 1, 2005 and March 31, 2011. Outcomes included unemployment, any return to custody, return to custody with a new offence, and return to custody without a new offence. Overall, 44% of women offenders received a TA during their sentence. Women who received a TA were generally more likely to be higher risk, higher need, have lower Reintegration Potential, and were serving a longer sentence. Participation in TAs was also related to community outcomes. A significant dosage effect was found for returns to custody for any reason and returns to custody for a new offence: the more TAs an offender received, the lower the chances of returning to custody. For unemployment and returns without an offence, merely participating in a TA (yes/no) demonstrated a significant reduction in negative outcomes. These findings indicate that higher risk women are more likely to participate in TAs, and according to the risk principle of effective correctional practice, they stand to benefit the most from them. Additionally, participation in TAs reduces unemployment and returns to custody. Consequently, TAs play a valuable role in gradual reintegration to the community, and generally, the more the offenders participate, the greater the benefits. Details: Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada, 2015. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report No. R-354: Accessed April 5, 2018 at: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-354-eng.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/scc-csc/PS83-3-354-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 149701 Keywords: Ex-offender EmploymentFemale OffendersPrisoner ReentryTemporary ReleaseUnemploymentWomen Offenders |
Author: Corman, Hope Title: Age Gradient in Female Crime: Welfare Reform as a Turning Point Summary: This study explores how a major public policy change-the implementation of welfare reform in the U.S. in the 1990s-shaped the age gradient in female crime. We used FBI arrest data to investigate the age-patterning of the effects of welfare reform on women's arrests for property crime, the type of crime women are most likely to commit and that welfare reform has been shown to affect. We found that women's property crime arrest rates declined over the age span; that welfare reform led to an overall reduction in adult women's property crime arrests of about 4%, with the strongest effects for women ages 25-29 and in their 40s; that the effects were slightly stronger in states with stricter work incentives; and that the effects were much stronger in states with high criminal justice expenditures and staffing. The key contributions of this study are the focus on a broad and relevant policy-based "turning point" (change in circumstances that can lead people to launch or desist from criminal careers), addressing the general question of how a turning point shapes age gradients in criminal behavior, and the focus on women in the context of the age patterning of crime. Details: Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research, 2018. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: NBER Working Paper 24464: Accessed April 5, 2018 at: http://www.nber.org/papers/w24464 Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: http://www.nber.org/papers/w24464 Shelf Number: 149704 Keywords: Female OffendersPoverty and CrimeProperty CrimeSocioeconomic Conditions and CrimeWelfare ReformWomen Offenders |
Author: Centre for Social Justice Title: A Woman-Centred Approach: Freeing vulnerable women from the revolving door of crime Summary: Much of our female prison population can be traced to state failure and social breakdown. Successive governments have failed to firmly grip the issue of female offending. It is the sort of social problem that a government committed to reform can and should tackle. As many other report authors - including Baroness Corston - have concluded: there is a way forward. However, it will take a clear commitment from the current Government, future governments, and Parliament if real progress is to be made. The remedies and proposals that we set out do not need huge new funding commitments, nor significant new legislation. They are, rather, a question of political will. An exclusive survey of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) conducted by the CSJ for this report establishes that there is real appetite for taking a new approach to female offenders among this group of locally elected criminal justice leaders: - 81 per cent of PCCs recognise there is clear evidence in favour of trauma-informed and gender-specific programmes in criminal justice; - 89 per cent of PCCs believe they have a pivotal role to play in transforming the approaches to female offenders and reducing recidivism; - 74 per cent of PCCs believe that the Government's Female Offender Strategy should allow for PCCs to take greater ownership of the female offender cohort; - 74 per cent of PCCs believe that they could commission better services for female offenders and those at risk of offending than the centre; and - 93 per cent of PCCs believe they could help leverage other funding sources and convene partners to help improve outcomes for the female offender cohort. Building on the results of the survey, we call on Government to adopt ten key recommendations to help transform the approach to women offenders, to improve outcomes, reduce crime and improve community safety. - Recommendation 1: Government should create a new Criminal Justice Transformation Fund for Women, recognising the need to develop a funding pool against which Police and Crime Commissioners can seek capital and revenue funding to support the provision of high quality community-based services for women at risk of offending. - Recommendation 2: Government should suspend plans for Community Prisons for Women and allocate the $50 million capital expenditure to the Criminal Justice Transformation Fund, to support the development of capacity and infrastructure for women in the community - Recommendation 3: Government should redirect a sum equivalent to the Core Allowance of Universal Credit into the Transformation Fund for Women, creating almost $15 million of additional annual funding. This should be used to support high quality community based-programmes, helping move women offenders and women at risk of offending away from crime and dependency towards employment and independence. - Recommendation 4: Government should commit to ensure that as the women's prison population declines and cost-savings are realised, 50 per cent of those savings should be allocated to the Justice Reinvestment component of the Criminal Justice Transformation Fund for Women. - Recommendation 5: Government should encourage PCCs and the philanthropic sector to leverage other funds at a local level. Government should implement an evaluation of the Fund and conduct a Feasibility Study to consider the potential for the Fund to be outcome-based, helping leverage additional social funding and promoting the more effective use of limited resources. - Recommendation 6: Police and Crime Commissioners, working with local Women's Centres and other partners, should develop a package of accommodation, monitoring, supervision and rehabilitation measures that can be attached to Community and Suspended Sentence Orders. This would provide sentencers with a credible and evidenced alternative option for offenders, helping prevent unnecessary imprisonment of female offenders and achieving better outcomes. - Recommendation 7: Government should ensure that the National Probation Service is placed under a positive obligation to understand the range of services available locally for women offenders and ensure that, in relation to female offenders, reasons why referral to such services would or would not be appropriate should be provided to sentencers. - Recommendation 8: Government should build on our proposals with pilots for problem-solving courts - making use of judicial monitoring - to focus and drive improved outcomes in relation to drug-addicted female offenders. Government should also welcome applications from PCCs to pilot services for female offenders that could replace the current CRC provision for female offenders. - Recommendation 9: Government should ensure that every woman with an identified financial need should leave prison with access to a minimum of the Core Allowance of Universal Credit, helping reduce crime and reinforcing the pro-social expectation of resettlement into the community. Details: London: Centre for Social Justice, 2018. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 9, 2018 at: https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/core/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/A_Woman-Centred_Approach_CSJ_web.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/core/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/A_Woman-Centred_Approach_CSJ_web.pdf Shelf Number: 149733 Keywords: Criminal CareersFemale InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersWomen Offenders |
Author: Ledebur, Kathryn Title: Promoting Gender-Sensitive Drug Policies in Bolivia Summary: In the Plurinational State of Bolivia, women account for 8 percent of the country's more than 17,000 people behind bars. In only three other Latin American countries (Guatemala, El Salvador and Chile) do women comprise a larger share of the overall incarcerated population. Almost 40 percent of the women behind bars in Bolivia are held for low-level drug offenses, often as a result of structural socioeconomic conditions, such as poverty and the pressures of single parenting. These women are typically poor, have limited education, and do not have access to stable jobs with decent pay; a startling percentage have been victims of domestic and sexual violence. They are often driven into the drug trade out of economic necessity. High rates of pretrial detention have also contributed to severe prison overcrowding. Indeed, according to the online database the World Prison Brief, Bolivian prisons are ranked as the eighth most congested in the world. In response to extreme prison overcrowding, between 2012 and 2018 the government of President Evo Morales enacted six prison pardon, sentence reduction, and amnesty initiatives, leading to the release of almost a third of Bolivia's total incarcerated population. Specific gender-sensitive clauses benefited mothers and caregivers. These gender-focused initiatives, paired with poverty reduction and increased state support for mothers, contributed to an 84 percent decrease in the number of women incarcerated for drug offenses between 2012 and 2017, going against the trend of increasing female incarceration for drug-related offenses in most Latin American countries. But Bolivia's considerable progress in reducing the incarceration of women for drug offenses could stall without the enactment and implementation of broader judicial reform efforts. Promoting Gender-Sensitive Drug Policies in Bolivia concludes with a series of concrete reforms that are needed to significantly advance the implementation of gender-sensitive drug policies in Bolivia. Of particular importance, the voices of women impacted by drug policies must be included in the debate, in order to develop and implement more effective, humane, and inclusive initiatives, grounded in public health and human rights. Details: Washington, DC: Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and the Andean Information Network, 2018. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 2, 2018 at: https://www.wola.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Bolivia-Report_FINAL_English.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Bolivia URL: https://www.wola.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Bolivia-Report_FINAL_English.pdf Shelf Number: 150027 Keywords: Drug Abuse and CrimeDrug OffendersDrug PolicyFemale OffendersGender-Specific Responses |
Author: Vafa, Yasmin Title: Beyond the Walls: A Look at Girls in D.C.'s Juvenile Justice System Summary: Both nationally and in the District of Columbia, boys have made up a vast majority of the juvenile justice population. Consequently, research, best practices, system reform efforts, and policies have been primarily based on the male population. In the past two decades, overall rates of youth involvement in the juvenile justice system have declined, yet the share of girls arrested, petitioned to court, placed on probation, and placed out of home has steadily increased. Due in part to a historical inattention to the unique drivers for girls into the juvenile justice system and the specific needs of justice-involved girls, jurisdictions around the country are seeing an increase in the rates of girls' involvement in the juvenile justice system. Over the past decade, Washington, D.C. (D.C.) has seen a significant increase in the share of girls in its juvenile justice system. This brief serves as a starting point to understand what is causing girls' increased contact with D.C.'s juvenile justice system, to highlight distinctions between girls' and boys' involvement in D.C.'s juvenile justice system, and to identify information gaps that must be addressed in order to reduce the number of system-involved girls and ensure that those girls who are already involved are receiving appropriate services and interventions. The data portion of this brief highlights four main findings that were consistent across data from the law enforcement and juvenile justice agencies in D.C. The main findings that will be explored in detail in the sections to follow are: - Girls today make up a larger portion of system-involved youth than in previous years. - Over time, the proportion of 13 to 15-year-old girls entering the juvenile justice system has grown at the greatest rate. - Eighty-six percent of arrests of girls in D.C. are for non-violent, non-weapons related offenses. - In D.C., Black girls are significantly overrepresented in the juvenile justice system. Details: Washington, DC: Rights4Girls; Juvenile Justice Initiative, Georgetown Law, 2018. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 4, 2018 at: http://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/academic-programs/clinical-programs/our-clinics/JJC/new-projects/upload/beyond-the-walls.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: http://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/academic-programs/clinical-programs/our-clinics/JJC/new-projects/upload/beyond-the-walls.pdf Shelf Number: 150066 Keywords: Female Juvenile OffendersFemale OffendersJuvenile Justice systemsRacial Disparities |
Author: Linder, Lindsey Title: An Unsupported Population: The Treatment of Women in Texas' Criminal Justice System Summary: In 2014, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition sent surveys to 1,600 women incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).1 Over 430 women completed the survey, which included questions about prior victimization, substance abuse, mental health issues, motherhood, and services and safety within TDCJ. While we provided preliminary findings to legislators and the public, we are now excited to offer more insight from the brave system-involved women who shared their experiences with us. We partnered with Dr. Andrea Button of Midwestern State University to analyze the survey responses and identify themes among those responses. The most common pre-incarceration themes show that life for many of these women included poverty (in childhood and while as an adult), substance abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault - all drivers into incarceration. Histories of trauma and attempts to selfmedicate due to trauma were common themes. Another prominent theme was limited family communication options within TDCJ. Many respondents also reported having a sense of dread about reentering the community with a criminal record and without employment. Concerns about recidivism were common, as was a sense of learned helplessness. As this likely constitutes the largest-ever survey of women incarcerated in Texas, these results are illuminating and they deserve the attention of agency staff, corrections system practitioners, and policy-makers. It should be acknowledged that there are shortcomings in our survey methodology, particularly with regards to sharing the voices of transgender women. Surveys were sent only to women's prison facilities, failing to account for transgender women who may be incarcerated in men's prison facilities or transgender men who may be incarcerated in women's prison facilities. The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition is hoping to release a separate report, including survey data, that will focus on the challenges LGBTQ people face in Texas' criminal justice system, including the experiences of transgender women. Details: Austin, TX: Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, 2018. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 11, 2018 at: https://www.texascjc.org/sites/default/files/publications/TCJC-Womens-Part-2.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://www.texascjc.org/sites/default/files/publications/TCJC-Womens-Part-2.pdf Shelf Number: 150160 Keywords: Female InmatesFemale OffendersFemale PrisonersGender-Responsive ProgramsWomen Offenders |
Author: Garcia-Hallett, Janet Title: The Navigation of Motherhood for African America, West Indian, and Hispanic Women in Reentry Summary: Though women are less likely than men to be incarcerated and are disproportionately outnumbered in United States jails and prisons (Guerino et al., 2011; Minton, 2013), women in state facilities are more likely to report being parents (Glaze & Maruschak, 2008; Mumola, 2000) and most plan to rekindle maternal relationships with their children upon their release (Barnes & Stringer, 2014; Hairston, 1991). Research demonstrates that women face substantial burdens during their reentry into the community, but reentry burdens may be more challenging to women of color who stand at the intersection of sexism and racism (Brown, 2010; Roberts, 1993). Ethnic differences among Black women are overlooked, however, as existing knowledge of women's experiences is often constructed along a Black/White dichotomy. Furthermore, selfconceptions as mothers, social expectations of mothers, and attempts to mother may place additional burdens on formerly incarcerated women with children. Yet, motherhood is still understood as a motivating factor in women's lives post-incarceration (Brown & Bloom, 2009; Hayes, 2009). This study investigates how formerly incarcerated women navigate motherhood and how this process influences mothers' reintegration after their release from imprisonment. The research draws on 37 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with formerly incarcerated mothers. These women's narratives focus on the role that maternal desires, decisions and behaviors play across various aspects of life post-incarceration: parenting, employment and finances, living arrangements, custody of children, as well as recovery from histories of addiction. This study utilized a comparative sampling strategy to unpack the experiences of groups viewed collectively as ―minorities‖ and to examine similarities and differences among African American, West Indian and Hispanic formerly incarcerated mothers. There is also a comparative feature across varying degrees of contact with children (both minor and adult children) - specifically, mothers living with their children, mothers not living with their children but remaining in contact, and mothers without contact. This study not only examines post-incarceration reintegration for formerly incarcerated mothers but it captures the intersectionality of criminal status, gender, and race/ethnicity. Furthermore, its comparative features go beyond common racial-ethnic labels and classifications of mother-child relationships in understanding the role of navigating motherhood in women's reintegration after incarceration. Details: Newark, NJ: Rutgers University, School of Criminal Justice, 2017. 268p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: accessed May 23, 2018 at: https://rucore.libraries.rutgers.edu/rutgers-lib/54125/PDF/1/play/ Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://rucore.libraries.rutgers.edu/rutgers-lib/54125/PDF/1/play/ Shelf Number: 150333 Keywords: Children of PrisonersFemale OffendersMinority GroupsMotherhoodParentingPrisoner Reentry |
Author: Sentencing Project Title: Incarcerated Women and Girls, 1980-2016 Summary: Over the past quarter century, there has been a profound change in the involvement of women within the criminal justice system. This is the result of more expansive law enforcement efforts, stiffer drug sentencing laws, and post-conviction barriers to reentry that uniquely affect women. The female prison population stands nearly eight times higher than in 1980. More than 60% of women in state prisons have a child under the age of 18. Between 1980 and 2016, the number of incarcerated women increased by more than 700%, rising from a total of 26,378 in 1980 to 213,722 in 2016. Though many more men are in prison than women, the rate of growth for female imprisonment has been twice as high as that of men since 1980. There are 1.2 million women under the supervision of the criminal justice system. Details: Washington, DC: Sentencing Project, 2018. 5p. Source: Internet Resource: Fact Sheet: Accessed June 20, 2018 at: https://www.sentencingproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Incarcerated-Women-and-Girls-1980-2016.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://www.sentencingproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Incarcerated-Women-and-Girls-1980-2016.pdf Shelf Number: 150611 Keywords: Female Inmates Female OffendersFemale Prisoners Women Prisoners |
Author: Great Britain. Ministry of Justice Title: Female Offender Strategy Summary: The Female Offender Strategy (June 2018) launches a new programme of work to improve outcomes for female offenders and make society safer by tackling the underlying causes of offending. The strategy sets out our vision that custody should be a last resort, reserved for the most serious offences. It makes clear that, where appropriate, women should be given the support they need to address their offending behaviour in community settings, and that early intervention is essential to reduce the number of women entering the justice system. By taking a gender-informed approach, we want to improve the outcomes for female offenders at all points of the system. We will deliver this vision by: empowering local areas to build on the early success of models such as the multi-agency, whole system approach (WSA), to meet the needs of female offenders and women at risk of offending a focus on partnership working, with a joined-up approach across government at a national level and between agencies and services at a local level to deliver a holistic response an evidence-based approach to what works, and pilots to test potential solutions and to ensure scalability. Details: London: Ministry of Justice, 2018. 55p. Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/719819/female-offender-strategy.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/719819/female-offender-strategy.pdf Shelf Number: 150823 Keywords: Female OffendersGender-Based programsWomen Offenders |
Author: Hartlen, Chelsea D.M. Title: Managing Criminal Women in Scotland: An Assessment of the Scarcity of Female Offenders in the Records of the High Court of Justiciary, 1524-1542 Summary: The records of Scotland's High Court of Justiciary that run from 1524 to 1542 contain a remarkably low number of women charged with felonies and pleas of the crown, and reveal the justiciar's reluctance to convict or execute female offenders. Criminal procedure and jurisdiction afforded victims and kin opportunities to deal with deviant women before they attracted the attention of the king and his justiciar. Moreover, in the Borders, remote central governance, minority rulers and feuding encouraged a quasilegal system of private justice that operated within the organising principal of kindred to maintain order. In Scotland, this manifested in a sorting process that kept women out of the justice court and under the management of local officials and kindred. This thesis examines these documents in order to understand better the experiences of women before the law and the efficacy of centralised governance and private justice in sixteenth-century Scotland. Details: Halifax, Nova Scotia: Dalhousie University, 2014. 183p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed August 2, 2018 at: https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/53870/Hartlen-Chelsea-MA-HIST-August-2014.pdf?sequence=3 Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/53870/Hartlen-Chelsea-MA-HIST-August-2014.pdf?sequence=3 Shelf Number: 151009 Keywords: Criminal CourtsCriminal ProcedureFemale OffendersHistorical StudyWomen Offenders |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, Audit Division Title: Audit of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Residential Reentry Center Contracts Awarded to Reynolds & Associates, Inc., Washington, D.C. Summary: Objective - The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) awarded three contracts valued at nearly $18 million to Reynolds & Associates, Inc. (Reynolds), to provide residential reentry services from 2011 to 2021 for female offenders at its Fairview facility in Washington, D.C. The objective of this audit was to assess the BOP's contract administration, as well as Reynolds' performance and compliance with requirements applicable to these residential reentry center (RRC) contracts. Results in Brief - The audit found that the BOP needs to strengthen its process to ensure price analysis documents show that the contract prices were fair and reasonable, did not adequately plan for the most recent firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract, and could improve its monitoring of Reynolds' compliance with the RRC requirements. While Reynolds met a number of important RRC requirements, it did not keep records required to support all paid services, and its Fairview facility experienced staffing challenges that contributed to repeated BOP-identified deficiencies. Lastly, we identified that Reynolds did not consistently track or collect subsistence payments from RRC residents. We believe that the BOP needs to strengthen RRC contract award procedures and oversight and Reynolds must improve how it documents its performance of many core RRC functions. Recommendations Our report includes 16 recommendations to the BOP to improve its RRC contract awarding and monitoring procedures, particularly with regard to Reynolds' Fairview RRC. We requested a response to our draft audit report from the BOP and Reynolds, which can be found respectively in Appendices 2 and 3. Our analysis of those responses is included in Appendix 4. Details: Washington, DC: OIG, 2018. 95p. Source: Internet Resource: Audit Division 18-30: Accessed October 5, 2018 at: https://oig.justice.gov/reports/2018/a1830.pdf#page=1 Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://oig.justice.gov/reports/2018/a1830.pdf#page=1 Shelf Number: 152946 Keywords: Federal Bureau of PrisonsFemale OffendersPrisoner ReentryPrisoners |
Author: Kajstura, Aleks Title: Women's Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2018 Summary: With growing public attention to the problem of mass incarceration, people want to know about women's experience with incarceration. How many women are held in prisons, jails, and other correctional facilities in the United States? And why are they there? How is their experience different from men's? While these are important questions, finding those answers requires not only disentangling the countrys decentralized and overlapping criminal justice systems, but also unearthing the frustratingly hard to find and often altogether missing data on gender. This report provides a detailed view of the 219,000 women incarcerated in the United States, and how they fit into the even broader picture of correctional control. This 2018 update to our inaugural Women's Whole Pie report pulls together data from a number of government agencies and calculates the breakdown of women held by each correctional system by specific offense. The report, produced in collaboration with the ACLU's Campaign for Smart Justice, answers the questions of why and where women are locked up. Details: Northampton, MA: Prison Policy Initiative, 2018. 6p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 12, 2019 at: https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2018women.html Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2018/11/13/mass-incarceration-women-2018/ Shelf Number: 154084 Keywords: Campaign for Smart JusticeCorrectional InstitutionsFemale InmatesFemale OffendersJailsMass IncarcerationPrison Policy InitiativePrisonsWomen Prisons |
Author: The Social Innovation Partnership Title: The Wire (Women's Information and Resettlement for Ex-Offenders) Evaluation Report Summary: Summary of findings - Reconviction rates: The reconviction rate for the eligible 104 engaged WIRE partcipants (out of a total of 342 referred women) was 42%, against 51% for the national average for women offenders and 88% for prolific offenders. Whilst there are issues around how this is evidenced, our additional qualitative analysis broadly supports that the WIRE is a valued service. - Desistance: The average number of offences per participant halved for the 12 months at liberty after the programme as compared to the 12 months before (at 2 offences as compared to 4 previously). Again, there are similar evidencing issues, although we seek to address these through our additional analysis (e.g. interviews). - OASys:Using OGRS3 categories, roughly half of WIRE participants in "high" and "very high" risk of reoffending categories had not reoffended after 12 months (which is half the standard OGRS3 period), which appears to be an encouraging result. However, these results will need to be confirmed after two years post-conviction. - Continuing success: Resourcing issues could affect the ongoing success of the WIRE programme, limiting staff's ability to (i) give dedicated personal support and (ii) perform a sufficient amount of ongoing reporting to improve performance as measured by both Stage 1 and Stage 2 indicators, and also to evidence successes and support fundraising. - Programme Strategy: Evidence suggests that WIRE outcomes are more likely to be achieved at the early stage (Stage 1) of WIRE interventions. - People (resourcing): The project struggled to match staffing levels with demand (principally due to funding constraints), despite this the team were able to meet housing and meet at the gates targets. - Administration: There were a number of issues identified with reporting strategies. The evaluators worked with the WIRE team to identify and implement solutions. - People: The complex nature and motivation of clients to change has the potential to impact the success of the project, clients need to want to engage for success to be achieved. The staff are also a key component of the success of the project, the workers need to possess a unique blend of tenaciousness to achieve outcomes and empathy to understand the women's experiences. - Outcomes: Housing outcomes are a strength of the WIRE and it is from this solid foundation that the workers are able to support the women in desisting from crime. - Process: The individualised nature of the service requires staff have skills and that enable them to dedicate the time needed to support women through this intense period. High demand for the service and funding constraints mean staff numbers are such that they have been focusing on Stage 1 as opposed to stage 2. Recommendations and Next Steps - Evidence practices: A number of reporting and evidence practices have been improved in the course of this evaluation. These improvements should be endorsed and maintained, within the WIRE and beyond, as a way of improving services, ensuring value for money and potentially assisting with future fundraising activities. - Staff and resourcing: Sufficient staff and resources should be allocated to the WIRE, including administrative support, to allow the core team to focus on delivery. To improve Stage 2 outcomes, the programme should be seen as sufficiently distinct (WIRE Plus) to require smaller case loads - Process refinements and stakeholder engagement: Work should be done with prisons to restore an appropriate prison presence, even if just once a week, for WIRE staff. Awareness of the WIRE and its full range of work (i.e. beyond housing) should also be raised amongst other key organisations, along with the evidence of the WIRE's work with clients. Details: London, UK: The Social Innovation Partnership, 2012. 31p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 16, 2019 at: https://www.stgilestrust.org.uk/misc/Support%20for%20vulnerable%20women%20leaving%20prison%20full%20report.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.stgilestrust.org.uk/misc/Support%20for%20vulnerable%20women%20leaving%20prison%20full%20report.pdf Shelf Number: 154216 Keywords: DesistanceEx-OffendersFemale OffendersGenderHousingPost ConvictionPrisonerPrisoner-Release ProgramsPrisonsReoffendingResettlementWomen Offenders |
Author: John Howard Association of Illinois Title: JHA 2018 Special Report on Fox Valley Adult Transition Center and Reentry Summary: Key Findings: - Women at Illinois' only female Adult Transition Center (ATC) were not provided the same benefits and supports as men, which was both unfair and to their detriment. - Residents of work release centers must agree to cover their healthcare costs for placement, many of these women would be Medicaid eligible based on income yet were not enrolled unless they were pregnant or within 3 months of release. While some healthcare services are provided without cost by community providers, concerningly, other healthcare expenses incurred by women at Fox Valley presented serious financial hardships. In contrast, men at work release centers operated by Safer Foundation in Chicago were enrolled in public assistance. IDOC should immediately revisit outdated policy and practices regarding Medicaid education and enrollment to prevent further harms to people leaving custody. - Women at Fox Valley reported they felt unsafe without access to cell phones while working in the community. Meanwhile, men at work release centers had use of cell phones. JHA recommended women have use of cell phones and continues to recommend that other outdated policies relating to use of technology also be revisited. Administrators report that women should be able to use cell phones on or before February 1, 2019. - Individuals housed at work release centers reported that they were not able to obtain an Illinois state ID without paying fees, despite a law that went into effect at the beginning of 2018 that waives fees for returning citizens. While technically ATC residents are still incarcerated, they face the same challenges the change to the law sought to address. IDOC should provide ATC residents with the same assistance and documents that waive fees to ensure a state ID can be secured. - People eligible for sentencing credits were not receiving them due to systemic inefficiencies including lack of program availability and timely implementation by IDOC of legislatively expanded discretionary credits. JHA continues to call for prompt action to implement sentencing credit and maximize use. - Current information about opportunities and limitations of all custodial facilities and programming systemwide should be made readily available; IDOC could better use resources and positively impact the women in custody by being more strategic in matching people to work, education, or other programming within the system. - Fox Valley could benefit from increased communication and dialogue with the community organizations and members that are interested in supporting women leaving prison, as this could lead to enhanced opportunities for the women. Details: Chicago: The Author, 2018. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 15, 2019 at: http://www.thejha.org/sites/default/files/JHA%20Fox%20Valley%20Report%202018.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United States URL: http://www.thejha.org/sites/default/files/JHA%20Fox%20Valley%20Report%202018.pdf Shelf Number: 154618 Keywords: Female Inmates Female OffendersPrisoner Reentry Women Prisoners |
Author: McGuigan, Geraldine Title: Survived....what at what cost? A study of women in the criminal justice system who experienced domestic abuse, and the potential for change Summary: This research focuses on the impact of domestic abuse and its implications for women in Northern Ireland who offend so that more appropriate responses can be identified and introduced across the criminal justice system. Its objectives were to: 1. Share the stories and experiences of women who experienced domestic abuse and who offended, focusing particularly on their 'journey into crime' and some of the barriers women in Northern Ireland face in reporting (or choosing not to report) domestic abuse. 2. Explore whether living in a post-conflict society impacted upon the women's propensity to report domestic abuse. 3. Establish whether the Pre-Sentence Reports prepared by the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) referenced domestic abuse and assess whether or not domestic abuse was taken into consideration as a mitigating factor at sentencing. 4. Document the women's experiences of serving their sentence. 5. Identify appropriate responses, particularly alternatives to custodial sentences. Interviews were conducted with 20 women in custody, on Probation and beyond their sentence and a series of staff from statutory and voluntary agencies within or close to the criminal justice system. The research findings and recommendations were structured around the need for: - Earlier interventions for women affected (particularly for those not yet ready to disclose domestic abuse). - A review of the processes by which women are introduced to decisions taken regarding the sentences they receive, including their Pre-Sentence Reports. - Better provision for community-based sentencing, as alternatives to custodial sentences where appropriate. - Improved specialist domestic abuse support for women within the criminal justice system, both in prison and on Probation. Details: London: The Griffiths Society, 2018. 110p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 25, 2019 at: https://www.thegriffinssociety.org/system/files/papers/fullreport/griffins_research_paper_2018-01_final.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.thegriffinssociety.org/system/files/papers/fullreport/griffins_research_paper_2018-01_final.pdf Shelf Number: 155150 Keywords: Battered Women Domestic Abuse Family Violence Female OffendersIntimate Partner Violence Violence Against Women |
Author: Smart, Sarah Title: Too many bends in the tunnel? Women serving Indeterminate Sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection - what are the barriers to risk reduction, release and resettlement? Summary: Indeterminate Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) is one of the most controversial sentences in the history of British sentencing, creating a 'general and systemic legal failure' (Laws LJ in Wells (2007)). Female IPP prisoners represent an often forgotten and overlooked minority, stuck in the creaking penal system. This research provides the first empirical exploration of female prisoners on IPP still in prison, despite the abolition of the sentence in 2012. Through narrative interviews, the research examines their childhood experiences, pathways into offending, journey through the prison system and identifies both internal/psychological and external/systemic reasons for their lack of progress towards rehabilitation and community resettlement. The findings identify commonalities of feeling and experience which create barriers to release. All of the women interviewed are found to be significantly over tariff and have served between twice and thirteen times their original tariff. The specific and all-pervasive impact of serving an indeterminate sentence is shown to have a profoundly negative effect on mental health, ability to engage and therefore progress towards risk reduction and release. The research concludes with recommendations for addressing some of the barriers identified to bring hope, progress and change. Details: London: Griffiths Society, 2018. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Paper 2018/02 : Accessed April 26, 2019 at: https://www.thegriffinssociety.org/system/files/papers/fullreport/griffins_research_paper_2018-02_updated_21.03.2019.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.thegriffinssociety.org/system/files/papers/fullreport/griffins_research_paper_2018-02_updated_21.03.2019.pdf Shelf Number: 155527 Keywords: Female Inmates Female OffendersFemale Prisoners Indeterminate Sentencing Sentencing Women Prisoners |
Author: Amighetti, Demalui Title: Costa Rica - Nios y nias con madres y padres encarcelados por delitos de drogas menores no violentos ( 103/5000 Costa Rica - Children with mothers and fathers imprisoned for non-violent minor drug offenses) Summary: This document presents the result of the information gathering process in Costa Rica, within the framework of the research project "Girls and boys with mothers and fathers imprisoned by non-violent drug crimes in Latin America and the Caribbean ". The study was aimed at generate knowledge about the specific impact that imprisonment has on the life of girls, boys and adolescents with adult referents deprived of liberty for crimes minors of drugs. The methodology developed in this study adhered to the shared work guidelines by research teams from different countries and included: data collection quantitative data on people incarcerated for drug-related crimes in the country; the documentary review; the analysis of the current national regulations on childhood, system penitentiary and drug policies; and semi-structured interviews with private women of the freedom for minor crimes related to drugs, relatives in charge of the care of their children and daughters and girls, boys and adolescents with imprisoned parents (NNAPES, from now on1 ). In In total, six interviews were conducted with imprisoned women (one of whom was already at large), five interviews with family caregivers and eleven interviews with NNAPES. All interviews are performed under consent and in environments that were suitable for each person. The fact that they have worked only with women deprived of their liberty obeys different reasons associated with the institutional processes of the Costa Rican penitentiary system and the characteristics of people who are serving time. On the one hand, there are limitations to access different penitentiary centers, especially if it is to conduct interviews. In In particular, in detention centers for men there are greater restrictions to apply for an appointment and stricter entry controls. On the other hand, among women, the fact of being mothers and being incarcerated for a crime related to drugs are two of the situations where actions by public institutions have been prioritized, so that, in Unlike men deprived of their freedom, the generation of information is encouraged and projects of empowerment and social reintegration. The main results of the investigation are aimed at confirming the negative impact that the imprisonment of women mothers has on the physical and emotional integrity of their children and underage daughters. From the perspective of the NNAPES, as well as their mothers and people caregivers, following detention have had a negative impact on their development educational and their physical and mental health. Although in most cases there is contact between the NNAPES and their mothers deprived of freedom, it is threatened by a set of geographic, cultural, material and family factors; this against the lack of protection and institutional neglect by the State. In addition to seeing threatened their right to family coexistence, the NNAPES face the lack of clear and adequate information regarding to the situation of their mothers, the presence of situations of violence at the time of detention, the neglect of the psychological consequences that the new changes in the family, the lag or drop-out of school and the residence in community spaces described as unsafe and dangerous. Details: Church World Service, 2018. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed by May 16, 2019 at: http://www.cwslac.org/nnapes-pdd/docs/PDD-Costa-Rica.pdf Year: 2019 Country: Costa Rica URL: http://www.cwslac.org/nnapes-pdd/docs/PDD-Costa-Rica.pdf Shelf Number: 155872 Keywords: Children of PrisonersDrug OffendersFamilies of InmatesFemale OffendersRights of Children |
Author: Munoz, Luis Alberto Title: Mxico - Nios y nias con madres y padres encarcelados por delitos de drogas menores no violentos (Mexico - Children with mothers and fathers imprisoned for non-violent minor drug offenses) Summary: Problem Statement Throughout Latin America, drug policies have become tougher. In Mexico, particularly, This topic is extremely relevant. Since 2006, a policy to combat drug trafficking that has left thousands dead and disappeared (Aristegui, 2012). In addition, this policy has had various impacts on penal and penitentiary policy: criminalization of consumption (under legal figures such as "possession with intent to marketing "), mass arrests and convictions, violations of due process, restriction of pre-release benefits, among others. Therefore, this policy increased the number of people deprived of liberty for drug offenses. In this sense, it is estimated that, between December 2006 and December 2014, the population held in federal prisons for crimes against health increased 1,200% (WOLA, 2015). At the same time, there is a lack of public policies to deal with the damage caused by this war. has stopped: from assassinations of people outside the conflict in the clashes against the organized crime, even the helplessness of families that have lost a member this battle, whether by death, disappearance or, as far as this study is concerned, the deprivation of liberty (Pardo, 2016). The increase of persons deprived of liberty for drug offenses is very high, which is why wondering how many of those people are fathers or mothers? and, consequently, how many girls, boys and adolescents with imprisoned parents (NNAPES, from now on) 1 there are these crimes? What impact does deprivation of liberty for drug offenses have on NNAPES? of its significant adult referents ?, what has the State done to reduce or cancel this impact and restore the rights of the NNAPES? These questions served as the basis for the realization of this investigation. Background In Mexico, few investigations show the situation of the NNAPES, even less, when It is about NNAPES who do not live together with their parents in custody. Example of it is that, following up on an investigation prepared according to the Day of General Debate of the Committee on the Rights of the Child that, in 2011, addressed the situation of the NNAPES, the Commission of Human Rights of the City of Mexico issued the General Pronouncement: Rights of children and girls, sons and daughters of parents in prison (2013), which focuses on the boys and girls who are born and They grow up in prison with their mothers. Subsequently, the Mexican civil association Office for the Defense of Children's Rights, Together with the National Institute of Criminal Sciences, he published the book Invisible Prisoners: Sons and Daughters of women in seclusion (Griesbach et al., 2015). This study is based on interviews conducted focus groups of women incarcerated in the Women's Social Rehabilitation Center of Santa Martha Acatitla (Mexico City) who live with their sons and daughters; In addition, the staff was interviewed in charge of their care in said institution. This study focuses on the obligations Details: Church World Service, 2018. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 16, 2019 at: http://www.cwslac.org/nnapes-pdd/docs/PDD-Mexico.pdf Year: 2019 Country: Mexico URL: http://www.cwslac.org/nnapes-pdd/docs/PDD-Mexico.pdf Shelf Number: 155868 Keywords: Children of PrisonersDrug OffendersFamilies of InmatesFemale OffendersRights of the Child |
Author: Crest Advisory Title: Ending the inertia: a plan to transform outcomes for women offenders Summary: For more than a decade politicians have agreed on the need to improve outcomes for vulnerable women in the criminal justice system. However, this consensus has not lead to the policy change required to help women offenders. Too many remain caught up in a system which fails to identify their needs or circumstances and so fails to punish or to rehabilitate them effectively. With widespread agreement that reform is long overdue, this project has sought to identify the practical steps that will help to end the cycle of re-offending by women offenders. Working with Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), prisons, probation and health services, the police, and charities in Avon and Somerset and the West Midlands, we have developed blueprints for how these agencies can remove barriers to change and advance their own strategies for women offenders. Our work has focused on understanding why women are offending, which factors affect their engagement with services, what support is available to meet their needs and what would have the greatest impact on outcomes for them. We have concluded that political will and consensus around the problems/solutions are not enough to drive change. Instead, the following issues must be addressed: Centralisation: in such a centralised system, how do you design flexible, place-based services to address the specific and complex needs of a small percentage of the overall offender population? Fragmentation: a siloed justice system prevents a whole system approach; e.g. the move to on the day (fast delivery) pre-sentence reports processes cases quickly but prevents a proper assessment of the complex needs of women offenders Criminal-justice centric: the criminal justice system cannot on its own tackle the wider social needs which drive offending. Mainstream services in local government, the NHS and the voluntary sector are vital to We have identified a number of concrete, practical steps for PCCs, mayors, justice agencies and policy makers that can and should be taken to develop a more joined up, preventative approach: Know your local system: have a clear picture of local drivers of offending and services available to provide support. Mapping women's pathways through the justice system and the current state of local provision is a first step to understanding who is in the system and identifying the pressure points and anomalies within it. Have a local strategy: what works in Devon won't necessarily work in Derbyshire and a strategy for women offenders needs to be rooted in the specific circumstances of an area. Building a strategy around the specifics and circumstances of a locality binds stakeholders towards a common set of goals and priorities Take a whole system approach: if the goal is effective local alternatives to a formal criminal justice pathway, what is the best way to deliver this in your area? This might be through investment in new and existing women's centres, or co-locating services (e.g. with children's services or probation) or via an outreach model with women visited at home by key workers. Finally the fiscal context cannot be ignored. The L4.5 million funding from the Female Offender Strategy is woefully short of what is required to meet demand. Locally it is vital to build a strong financial case for change to pool existing resources around shared objectives, if no further resources are forthcoming. Details: London: Author, 2019. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 6, 2019 at: https://static.wixstatic.com/ugd/b9cf6c_096f5e0d085747e7beb46b6c313e375c.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://static.wixstatic.com/ugd/b9cf6c_096f5e0d085747e7beb46b6c313e375c.pdf Shelf Number: 156210 Keywords: Alternatives to IncarcerationDiversion ProgramsFemale OffendersGender-Specific ProgramsWomen Offenders |