NCJ Number
142251
Date Published
1992
Length
77 pages
Annotation
This report provides a descriptive analysis of strategies and programs that appear to provide effective supervision, treatment, or both supervision and treatment of female offenders in community settings, based on telephone interviews with 100 program directors and site visits to 23 programs.
Abstract
Results revealed the need for more effective intermediate sanctions at every point in the criminal justice system from pretrial to reentry from jail and prison. Findings also indicated that the most promising approaches focus on the multidimensional problems of female offenders. These include gender-specific drug treatment; parenting and family preservation; economic survival and basic life-skills training; sexual abuse and domestic assault counseling; and safe, affordable housing. Corrections agencies can operate these programs or contract with community organizations for cost-effective services. A strong case management approach should be incorporated into all programs serving female offenders, including screening and intake procedures, individualized treatment planning, referrals to community services, systematic tracking of client progress, and intensive monitoring of client activities. Other recommendations include the development of management information systems for community programs and training and technical assistance for program planners and providers. Tables, footnotes, and appended program profiles and chart