NCJ Number
161164
Date Published
1996
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined whether vocational programs for female inmates in Japanese prisons were significantly different from those of male inmates.
Abstract
Data collection was conducted in early 1992 and consisted of the administration of a questionnaire in two prisons near Tokyo. In the female prisons, 101 inmates participated; 73 male inmates participated. In addition, the researchers conducted personal interviews with 14 male and 10 female inmates. Other information was obtained from prison documents. The study hypothesized that the female inmates would have less access to programs than men and that the programs to which they did have access would be gender stereotyped. With one important qualification, the data support the hypothesis. Although 51 percent of all female inmates were aware of at least one program, very few of these programs were listed by even 15 percent of the women in the sample. For men, the figures for individual program awareness were generally better, but they were still very low with respect to actual participation. Males did not appear to have much access to prison education programs either. The programs that male and females were aware of and had participated in were consistent with gender stereotyping. A disproportionate number of women said they believed that humanities, "education," cosmetology, and cooking programs were available to them. Conversely, a disproportionate number of men mentioned printing, dry cleaning, hazardous materials handling, boiler technician, "vocational training" in general, math/accounting, training for certificates, different language skills, and office skills. Study limitations are discussed. 2 tables and a 36-item bibliography