NCJ Number
186773
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 39 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2000 Pages: 354-368
Editor(s)
Tony Fowles,
David Wilson
Date Published
November 2000
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article examines the experiences of women prisoners in England and Scotland and the impact of policy initiatives designed to respond to the growing problems presented by the presence and use of illicit drugs in prisons.
Abstract
This research was initiated in response to the rise in the numbers of women being imprisoned for drug-related offenses and the increase drug use in society. Previous research has concentrated on drug use among male prisoners. This article focuses on the experiences of women who were regular drug users upon incarceration. With the penal environment’s emphasis on security and surveillance, both philosophically and in practice, difficulties are inherent in attempting to provide therapeutic or rehabilitative resources, as revealed by many of the women prisoners. Boundaries between treatment and punishment often become muddied. Punishment clearly remains a central concept of women’s imprisonment. Knowing that increased resources for drug users in prison may be beneficial for some, the broader context of the imprisonment of women and lack of community services support for women drug users needs to be examined further. Notes and references