FEMALE OFFENDERS - DEALING WITH DIFFERENCES IN COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS (FROM COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS INSTITUTE, 1978 SEE NCJ-56514)

• NCJ Number: 56531
• Author(s): P A SQUIRES
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Memphis State University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE CONTENDS THAT COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PROGRAMS DEALING WITH FEMALE OFFENDERS SHOULD PROVIDE A SETTING WHICH EMPHASIZES INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

Abstract

A 1975 SURVEY INCLUDING 36 COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTERS, 16 STATE PRISONS, AND 46 COUNTY JAILS SHOWED THAT TWO THIRDS OF FEMALE OFFENDERS INTERVIEWED WERE UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE, 45 PERCENT HAD NOT FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL, 73 PERCENT HAD CHILDREN, 56 PERCENT WERE WELFARE RECIPIENTS, ONLY 40 PERCENT WORKED IN THE 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THEIR ARREST, AND THOSE WITH VOCATIONAL TRAINING HAD SKILLS IN CLERICAL AND COSMETOLOGY FIELDS OR WORKED IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. A 1976 SURVEY INVOLVING 6,200 FEMALE OFFENDERS ISOLATED THREE MAJOR PROBLEMS: LACK OF JOB SKILLS, LACK OF EDUCATION, AND DIFFICULTIES IN ARRANGING CHILD CARE, READJUSTING TO FAMILY LIFE, AND COPING WITH PREJUDICES. A SURVEY OF 85 PROGRAM DIRECTORS OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PROGRAM SERVING FEMALE OFFENDERS INDICATED THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT SERVICES AS NECESSARY FOR THEIR RESIDENTS, IN ORDER OF PRIORITY: PERSONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING, ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, SURVIVAL SKILLS TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING, CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE AND HELP IN MEETING OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES, DRUG ABUSE SERVICES, AND HOUSING REFERRAL. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS LITTLE EXPERTISE TO DEAL WITH PROBLEM AREAS IDENTIFIED IN THESE SURVEYS. THERE IS A NEED FOR FEMALE OFFENDERS TO HAVE VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN SKILLS THAT THEY ARE INTERESTED IN, SKILLS FOR WHICH THERE IS A MARKET IN THE EMPLOYMENT FIELD, SKILLS WHERE A FUTURE WILL BE OPEN FOR UPWARD CAREER POTENTIAL, AND SKILLS WITH AVERAGE WAGES WHICH WILL SUPPORT THEM AND THEIR DEPENDENTS WITHOUT RESORT TO EITHER CRIME OR WELFARE DEPENDENCY. CAREER IS A KEY WORD IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR FEMALE OFFENDERS. OTHER IMPORTANT AREAS TO CONSIDER IN REHABILITATION ARE MEDICAL SERVICES, SEXUALITY, MOTHERHOOD, HOMOSEXUALITY, FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ACTIONS, AND PERSONAL GROWTH. REFERENCES ARE LISTED. (DEP)