Female Offenders and the Criminal Justice System (From Social Work in Juvenile and Criminal Justice Settings, Third Edition, P 351-365, 2007, Albert R. Roberts and David W. Springer, eds. -- See NCJ-217866)

• NCJ Number: 217893
• Author(s): Patricia Brownell; Keva M. Miller; Martha L. Raimon
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This overview of female offenders in the criminal justice system examines issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, and entitlements for female offenders' families.

Abstract

Women of color, particularly African-American and Latina women, compose a disproportionate share of women in U.S. prisons. Nearly half of female inmates have never been married; yet 7 in 10 women under correctional supervision have children under the age of 18. Most have not performed well in educational systems prior to incarceration; only 25 percent report that they were employed full time prior to their arrest, and 30 percent report receiving public assistance prior to being arrested. Many female inmates have been victims of domestic violence and child abuse. Some of the women are in prison for killing their abusers. Social-work service plans and interventions must incorporate findings from current research into the social demographics of women who enter the criminal justice system. Clinical and program interventions must take into account their histories of abuse, their need for basic education and vocational training, and their role as mothers. Substance abuse treatment is also a prevalent need for female offenders. In addition to in-prison programs, reentry programs must build upon and make relevant in the community the knowledge, skills, and behavioral changes begun in prison. 51 references and a listing of 7 resources for practitioners