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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
Time: 10:44 pm
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Results for gender-specific programs
11 results foundAuthor: Jules-Macquet, Regan Title: Exploring Female Offender Profiles and Social Reintegration Service Delivery Summary: The National Institution of Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO) has been rendering crime prevention and offender reintegration services since 1910. As part of ongoing monitoring and evaluation, NICRO maintains an annual statistics database of people who have been in conflict with the law to whom NICRO has rendered services. Much of the research and programming that is available for offenders focuses on male offenders. This is an inevitable result of the fact that the majority of South African offenders are male. Nevertheless, it is vitally important that closer attention be paid to the situation and specific needs of female offenders. Evidence suggests that while male and female offenders have similar social reintegration needs, they are not identical. It is important that responsive and flexible programming is developed and implemented that meets the needs of female offenders as well as male offenders. This paper focuses on the patterns and dynamics seen amongst 4 810 female offenders receiving NICRO services between 2012 and 2013. This paper explores the demographic profile of female offenders, the comparative dynamics between male and female offenders for both aggressive and sexual offences, and reviews the most common offences found amongst female offenders. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of the data for service delivery to female offenders for the purpose of enhancing social reintegration and reducing the likelihood of female recidivism. Details: Cape Town: National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO), 2015. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 20, 2015 at: http://www.nicro.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Exploring-Female-Offender-Trends-and-Dynamics.pdf Year: 2015 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.nicro.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Exploring-Female-Offender-Trends-and-Dynamics.pdf Shelf Number: 135726 Keywords: Female Inmates Female Offenders Female Prisoners Gender-Specific ProgramsPrisoner Reentry Reintegration |
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: Southgate, Jessica Title: Seeing differently: Working with girls affected by gangs Summary: While concern has grown in recent years about the extent of gang activity in Britain, the ways in which girls and young women are affected tends to be overlooked, simplified or distorted. Where attention is given to girls' involvement they tend to be depicted either as violent, out of control perpetrators or as vulnerable victims; reflective of a wider tendency to cast girls who offend in a 'false dichotomy' between the extremes of 'autonomous actors' or 'passive subjects' (Batchelor, 2009a). Through experience of working in organisations delivering gender-specific services to young women, I know these representations to be simplistic and rarely reflective of the complexity or reality of girls' lives. One pertinent example of the representation of gang-associated girls is the case of Samantha Joseph, dubbed the "honeytrap killer" for her involvement in the murder of Shakilus Townsend in 2008. Media coverage of the trial fixated primarily on her involvement and responsibility for "luring" Townsend to the place of his death at the hands of seven gang-associated boys. As has been noted in other media representations of women involved in murder cases (Jones & Wardle, 2008), Joseph's picture was shown more regularly and prominently than those of her male co-defendants, suggesting her ultimate responsibility. Despite some coverage which reported Joseph's boyfriend Danny McLean (for whom she had agreed to 'get Shak set' (Clements, 2009)) to have been neglectful and abusive towards her (Bird, 2009), little critical analysis was given to her role, motivation or potentially constrained choices. Both the current and previous Governments have taken a range of actions in an attempt to reduce gang activity and serious youth violence, including the "Tackling Knives and Serious Youth Violence Action Programme" (TKAP), the introduction of gang injunctions, specific funding to tackle "knife, gun and gang" related violence, and a cross-sector Ending Gang Violence team. These measures tended to have been developed without consideration of girls' and women's experiences, however, resulting in a context where they 'fall straight through the gaps at best, and at worst have their situations exacerbated, or their risk increased, due to a lack of consideration for their experiences' (ROTA, 2010:17). The recently published "Ending Gang and Youth Violence" report (HM Government, 2011b) makes a number of references to girls, and when published the Home Secretary was keen to stress that the strategy would have a "new focus" on girls and young women "caught up in gang-related rape and abuse" (Hansard, 2011). The strategy committed money to specialist sexual abuse services for gang-affected young women, and referenced positive outcomes specific to girls and young women, including increased self-esteem, early referral to support services, and reduced sexual assault, exploitation and forced miscarriage. Alongside other indications that policy-makers are considering girls' needs more, this is a step to be welcomed, however, the degree to which this translates to a shift in public discourse or enhanced local service provision remains to be seen. In comparison to the priorities outlined by practitioners I spoke to for this research, gaps in delivering appropriate support to girls and young women remain unaddressed, including having sufficient staff support or expertise, an appropriate balance between prevention, intervention and support services, and addressing attitudes that enable a culture in which violence against girls and women is permissible. Details: London: The Griffins Society, 2011. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Paper 2011/02: Accessed May 27, 2015 at: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/Research_Paper_2011_02_(updated_May_2012).pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/Research_Paper_2011_02_(updated_May_2012).pdf Shelf Number: 129824 Keywords: Female Gang MembersGang ViolenceGang-Related ViolenceGangsGender-Specific ProgramsYouth Violence |
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: 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: Penal Reform International Title: Community service and probation for women A study in Kenya. Towards gender‑sensitive alternatives to imprisonment Summary: Women and girls have always been a minority group in criminal justice systems, which as a result have been designed for men and do not address women's specific characteristics and corresponding needs. This was recognised in 2010 when the international community adopted the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (Bangkok Rules). The Bangkok Rules outline the measures needed to ensure gender-sensitive treatment of women both in prison and those under non-custodial measures or sanctions. By encouraging the development and use of gender-specific non-custodial alternatives to imprisonment, the Bangkok Rules recognise that many female offenders do not pose a risk to society and that imprisonment has a disproportionately negative impact on their rehabilitation and their children's lives. Non-custodial measures enable women to better meet their caretaking obligations and address the root causes of their offending. They can only do this, however, if they take account of the distinctive needs of female offenders. It is worth emphasising that treating female offenders differently from their male counterparts is not unfair or discriminatory. In fact, the reverse is true. Women offenders have distinctive needs that must be identified and addressed so that they can receive equitable treatment. With financial support from the Thailand Institute of Justice, Penal Reform International and the Kenya Probation and Aftercare Service are working on a project to design and implement gender-sensitive Community Service and Probation Orders for women. This report is a first step towards that objective. How does the justice system currently respond to women offenders? What are the experiences of women serving non-custodial sanctions? What are these women convicted of? What kind of difficulties did they face when serving the sanction? What kind of support do they need to successfully complete their Order, and not reoffend? By answering such questions, this report seeks to inform the development of gender-specific policies that will respond better to the needs of women serving non-custodial orders. This report sets out the context and framework in which women serve non-custodial sentences in Kenya, and their background and characteristics. It then presents the research findings, examining the key challenges faced by women serving Community Service and Probation Orders, requirements for them to successfully complete orders imposed, as well as issues related to current sentencing practices. The report concludes with a number of recommendations which will be used to develop measures to address key areas of concern. While this report focuses on Kenya, it is possible to draw out common lessons which will be relevant for other countries and systems. Wherever they live, women offenders experience similar problems, including discrimination, stigmatisation, high rates of violence, and economic disempowerment, amongst others. The recommendations will be useful to all those interested in maximising the rehabilitative potential of non-custodial regimes for women Details: London: PRI; Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya Probation and Aftercare Service, 2016. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 20, 2017 at: http://www.tijthailand.org/useruploads/files/tij_-_pri_-_kenya_full_report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Kenya URL: http://www.tijthailand.org/useruploads/files/tij_-_pri_-_kenya_full_report.pdf Shelf Number: 144507 Keywords: Alternatives to Incarceration Community Service Female Offenders Female Probation Gender-Specific Programs |
Author: Persuaduraan Korban Napza Indonesia (PKNI) Title: Women speak out: Understanding women who inject drugs in Indonesia Summary: The needs of women who inject drugs have largely been ignored by existing programmes and policies in Indonesia. The Indonesian Drug Users Network supported the implementation of the Perempuan Bersuara study to explore health needs, sexual and injecting risk behaviours, gender-based violence, contact with law enforcement, and harm reduction service accessibility among more than 700 women who inject drugs across multiple sites in West Java, Greater Jakarta, and Banten province. As people who use and inject drugs and direct beneficiaries of Indonesia's harm reduction and HIV response, we feel that the complex needs of women in our community have been neglected for far too long. There is an urgent need to develop gender-sensitive, low-threshold programmes and evidence-based drug policies that accommodate and respond to the specific needs of this group. Details: s.l.: Indonesian Drug Users Network, 2016. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 27, 2017 at: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/566349360/library/WomenSpeakOut_English_Web.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Indonesia URL: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/566349360/library/WomenSpeakOut_English_Web.pdf Shelf Number: 144592 Keywords: Drug Abuse and AddictionDrug Abuse and CrimeDrug-Related ViolenceFemale Drug UsersGender-Specific Programs |
Author: Watkins, Lucy Title: An evaluation of The Freedom Programme: A prison support programme for women who have experienced domestic violence Summary: This research evaluated The Freedom Programme - a group work support programme for women in prison. Three research questions were addressed: does the programme help women to develop ways of thinking and behaving that protect themselves, their children and others from harm; is the programme of equal value for BME women, lesbian women etc. as it is for white heterosexual women; and to what extent do women value the process of being able to discuss, share and explore issues with other women? The research questions were addressed through 14 interviews with women who attended the programme, four interviews with facilitators and observation of two sessions. Analysis of the interviews and participant observation revealed that The Freedom Programme had a number of limitations. Women generally found the programme enjoyable, liked the opportunity to discuss their experiences with other women and felt that they had learned about warning signs which would prevent future abusive relationships. However, some of the problematic issues were (i) the course raised awareness of domestic violence issues which was not in line with the official programme aims (ii) there was a lack of support outside of sessions (iii) resettlement issues were not addressed and (iv) there were issues with the processes of the programme including staff training and use of male facilitators. Details: London: Griffins Society, 2009. 55p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 29, 2017 at: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/system/files/papers/fullreport/research_paper_2009_01_watkins.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.thegriffinssociety.org/system/files/papers/fullreport/research_paper_2009_01_watkins.pdf Shelf Number: 145208 Keywords: Abused Women Correctional Programs Domestic Violence Female Inmates Female Prisoners Gender-Specific ProgramsViolence Against Women Women Prisoners |
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: 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: 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 |