NCJ Number
70371
Date Published
1980
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A community-based program for female offenders in Seattle, Wash. is described.
Abstract
The Women's Community Center (WCC), which houses 24 women and 8 children on the third floor of the downtown Seattle YWCA, is a nonprofit State-funded corporation governed by a board of directors. Female offenders sentenced to the WCC must demonstrate a desire to accept responsibility, be involved in work or vocational training, and be self-supporting. Each resident signs a contract with the WCC which specifies mutual responsibilities, based on the client's needs, interests, and personal goals. Residents must maintain full-time work or school; participate in psychological, financial, or parenting counseling; and cooperate in program research and evaluation efforts. WCC's system of graduated responsibility helps each woman progress toward greater personal responsibility and toward increased amounts of sponsored social time. Seven phases, each requiring certain responsibilities and allowing certain privileges, make up the system. The overall goal of the WCC program is to help residents gain an improved self-image and acquire the social and employment skills needed to function productively in the community. The WCC environment and staff motivate a resident to practice self-control and develop accountability for her behavior, maintain family ties and improve parenting skills, participate in supportive and vocational counseling, and develop ties with community agencies and resources so that dependence on WCC is avoided. For related documents, see NCJ-70361-70 and 70372-77.