CORRECTIONS AND THE FEMALE OFFENDER

• NCJ Number: 48475
• Author(s): R G IACOVETTA
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE ON CORRECTIONS, VOLUME 20, FEBRUARY 27, 1975

Annotation

INCREASES IN FEMALE CRIMINALITY COUPLED WITH INCREASED ARRESTS AND CONVICTIONS WILL REQUIRE REFORM IN THE INADEQUATE FACILITIES, TREATMENTS, AND PROGRAMS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO FEMALE OFFENDERS.

Abstract

BETWEEN 1960 AND 1970 ARRESTS OF WOMEN FOR INDEX OFFENSES ROSE 200 PERCENT WHILE MALE RATES OVER THE SAME PERIOD ROSE ONLY 73 PERCENT. NOT ONLY ARE MORE WOMEN BEING ARRESTED, MORE ARE BEING INCARCERATED AS WELL. IN FEDERAL PRISONS ALONE THERE HAS BEEN AN 81 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FEMALE INMATES IN THE PAST 5 YEARS. MUCH DEBATE HAS CENTERED AROUND THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INCREASING EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN AND INCREASING FEMALE CRIMINALITY. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS LOGICAL TO ASSUME THAT AS WOMEN ADOPT THE MORE ASSERTIVE AND AGGRESSIVE PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR PREVIOUSLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE MALE ROLE, THE FEMALE ROLE IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY WILL ALSO CHANGE. THE INCREASE IN FEMALE INMATES AND OFFENDERS WILL ACCENTUATE THE CURRENT PROBLEMS OF INADEQUATE AND INAPPROPRIATE FACILITIES, TREATMENT, AND PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN IN THE CORRECTIONS ENVIRONMENT. A BASIC NEED IN MOST FEMALE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IS MEANINGFUL JOB TRAINING IN PREPARATION FOR POSTRELEASE EMPLOYMENT. SUCH TRAINING SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO TRADITIONAL FEMALE OCCUPATIONAL ROLES. ADDITIONALLY, PROBLEMS CHARACTERISTIC OF MALE INSTITUTIONS ARE ALSO FOUND IN FEMALE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. INEQUITABLE WAGE SYSTEMS SHOULD BE REFORMED AND HOMOSEXUALITY IN PRISON SHOULD BE DEEMPHASIZED AND VIEWED AS AN INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE OF THE PRISON ENVIRONMENT. ALTERNATIVES WHICH CAN ELIMINATE OR AMELIORATE MANY OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE UNISEX PRISON SHOULD BE FURTHER EXPLORED. COED CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES CAN PROVIDE A MORE NORMATIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR INMATES. CONJUGAL VISITATION RIGHTS MAY HELP PREVENT MARITAL/FAMILIAL DISRUPTION AND REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF HOMOSEXUALITY. FURLOUGH PROGRAMS CAN AID IN REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY. EXPANDED USE OF HALFWAY HOUSES ALSO OFFERS REHABILITATIVE PROMISE. (JAP)