NCJ Number
187474
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 63 Issue: 1 Dated: February Pages: 56-61
Editor(s)
Susan L. Clayton
Date Published
February 2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the development of a comprehensive training curriculum surrounding the intricacies of supervising an increasing female offender population.
Abstract
With two unrelated female offender suicides in the Florida Department of Corrections, a need was identified for in-depth training for staff supervising female offenders. The curriculum is divided into six detailed sections exploring behaviors, actions, needs, and backgrounds presented by female offenders. A portion of the curriculum concentrates on the differences between men and women. It looks at the differences in social issues and needs, physical health issues and needs, psychological needs and issues, economic issues, and supervision issues. It is crucial that correctional staff develop and foster a basic understanding of these differences. The objective of the new Florida Department of Correction’s Working with the Female Offender training program is to train staff to appropriately treat and respond to the female offender population. It is a program driven by the concept that female offenders are just different, not difficult.