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IN PRISON, WOMEN ARE DIFFERENT

NCJ Number
53030
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 14-24
Author(s)
J POTTER
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
LIVING CONDITIONS AND INMATE PROGRAMS IN FOUR WOMEN'S PRISONS ARE DESCRIBED, TOGETHER WITH THE CORRECTIONAL PHILOSOPHIES AND ATTITUDES OF THE OFFICIALS WHO OPERATE THE INSTITUTIONS.
Abstract
THE DISCUSSION OPENS WITH AN OVERVIEW OF THE STATES' RESPONSES TO THE PRISON OVERCROWDING THAT HAS RESULTED FROM THE 74-PERCENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FEMALE PRISONERS BETWEEN 1971 AND 1977. POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS OF THE INCREASE ARE CONSIDERED. SPECIAL PROBLEMS CONFRONTING FEMALE INMATES ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING THE SEPARATION OF MOTHERS FROM THEIR CHILDREN. THE TENDENCY OF FEMALE INMATES TO FORM SUBSTITUTE FAMILIES IS NOTED, AS IS THE DIFFERENCE IN THE QUALITY AND TONE OF HOMOSEXUALITY IN MEN'S AND WOMEN'S INSTITUTIONS. THERE IS SAID TO BE A DEARTH OF EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN WOMEN'S PRISONS. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO THE LACK OF OPPORTUNITY FOR LONG-TERM PRISONERS TO MAKE MEANINGFUL USE OF THEIR TIME BY PURSUING COLLEGE DEGREES, LEARNING NEW SKILLS, OR EARNING ENOUGH MONEY TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS AT THREE STATE INSTITUTIONS AND ONE FEDERAL INSTITUTION ARE DESCRIBED, AND PRISON OFFICIALS DISCUSS THEIR VIEW OF CORRECTIONS AND OF FEMALE INMATES. TWO OF THE FACILITIES--THE WOMEN'S PRISONS OF NORTH CAROLINA AND WEST VIRGINIA--OFFER FEW PROGRAMS WHILE THE FEDERAL PRISON AT ALDERSON, W. VA., AND THE STATE PRISON AT PURDY, WASH; ARE CONSIDERED AMONG THE BEST INSTITUTIONS IN THE COUNTRY. IT IS OBSERVED THAT, ALTHOUGH THE INSTITUTIONS DIFFER CONSIDERABLY IN PHILOSOPHY, RESOURCES, AND OPERATIONS, THE COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS VOICED BY THEIR INMATES ARE UNIFORM. (LKM)

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