NCJ Number
49659
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1974) Pages: 392-400
Date Published
1974
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF WOMEN OFFENDERS ARE SURVEYED AND THE FAILURE OF TRADITIONAL PENAL INSTITUTIONS TO MEET THESE NEEDS CRITICIZED. ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION ARE ESPECIALLY NEEDED FOR MANY OFFENDER CATEGORIES.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH FEWER WOMEN ENTER THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE IN WOMEN OFFENDERS IS FOCUSING THE ATTENTION OF POLICE, COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS ON TREATMENT OF WOMEN. POLICE AND COURTS ARE MOVING AWAY FROM PREVIOUSLY LENIENT HANDLING OF FEMALE OFFENDERS, AND TOWARD EQUAL TREATMENT. HOWEVER, IGNORING THE SPECIAL PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN OFFENDERS CONSTITUTES UNEQUAL TREATMENT. OFFENSES FOR WHICH MANY WOMEN ARE INCARCERATED ARE NEITHER VIOLENT OR PROPERTY CRIMES; E.G., PROSTITUTION, VICTIMLESS SEX CRIMES, ALCOHOLISM, DRUG ABUSE, AND JUVENILE STATUS OFFENSES. INNOVATIVE ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION ARE NEEDED BECAUSE TRADITIONAL PRISONS MERELY INCREASE THE ADDICT'S PROBLEMS AND DO NOTHING TO HELP JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS OR WOMEN ENGAGING IN SEX TO SUPPORT HERSELF. A SPECIAL PROBLEM IS THAT OF THE WOMAN OFFENDER WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN. SURVEYS HAVE SHOWN THAT POOR MINORITY WOMEN, THOSE MOST LIKELY TO BE INCARCERATED, ARE ALSO MOST LIKELY TO BE HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED AS ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION IN A DISTANT PLACE. POSTRELEASE STUDIES HAVE FOUND THAT ALIENATION FROM THE FAMILY IS THE GREATEST ADJUSTMENT PROBLEM FOR MOST RELEASED WOMEN OFFENDERS AND EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO MINIMIZE THIS. VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS SHOULD PREPARE THE WOMAN FOR REALISTIC JOBS UPON RELEASE. COEDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE SUGGESTED TO ENABLE WOMEN TO RELATE TO MEN IN A WORK SITUATION. VOCATIONAL AND REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS OPERATING IN MEN'S PRISONS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO WOMEN. A NEW TYPE OF WOMAN PRISONER IS INCREASING IN NUMBER -- THE YOUNG, MILITANT, WHITE DRUG USER. THESE WOMEN ARE DEMANDING THEIR RIGHTS AND ARE FORCING CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS TO TAKE A NEW LOOK AT FEMALE OFFENDERS. IT IS HOPED THAT THIS NEW LOOK WILL RESULT IN BETTER QUALIFIED CORRECTIONS PERSONNEL, AN OPENING OF ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS TO WOMEN, AN INCREASE IN OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN OFFENDERS, AND THE USE OF WOMEN OFFENDERS ON CLIENT BOARDS TO EVALUATE INMATE PROGRAMS. COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE IS ANOTHER SEVERE PROBLEM, AS FEMALE OFFENDERS FACE PREJUDICE AGAINST EX-OFFENDERS AS WELL AS PREJUDICE AGAINST WOMEN IN SEEKING EMPLOYMENT. VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS WITH INMATES HELPING IN THE COMMUNITY, INVOLVEMENT OF COMMUNITY AGENCIES, AND FAMILIARITY PROGRAMS ARE ALL SUGGESTED. APPENDED REFERENCES DEAL PRIMARILY WITH STUDIES OF WOMEN OFFENDERS. (GLR)