NCJ Number
197009
Journal
Women and Criminal Justice Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: 2002 Pages: 97-108
Editor(s)
Donna C. Hale
Date Published
2002
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study conducted in Ohio proposed a quick multidimensional screening instrument for women in jail to identify risks and needs, as well as link women to services while in jail or on jail release.
Abstract
Correctional systems utilize a classification process by which to assess the security risk represented by an individual offender. Current systems do not assist correctional administrators with useful information on female inmates regarding their institutional adjustment or programmatic need, indicating a need to establish correctional guidelines that work for female offenders. This study was conducted to develop and pilot a quick multidimensional screening instrument for women in jail in order to identify their risk and rehabilitative needs. One hundred and ten women from two urban county jails in Ohio participated in the pilot project. Factor analysis was utilized to drop items and produce possible sub-scales. It attempted to identify underlying variables, or factors explaining patterns of correlations within a set of observed variables. The pilot project proposes a 15-item quick screening interview that might be useful in crowded jail settings. The screening includes domains that focus on the needs of women, including pregnancy and issues related to children and family. Responses to this instrument may link women in jail to services for mental health assessment, drug abuse assessment, infectious disease testing, pregnancy testing, and social and vocational services. Even though the project has several limitations, the tool may be helpful in the process of beginning to address the specific needs of females held in local jails. References