NCJ Number
111745
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 50 Issue: 3 Dated: (June 1988) Pages: 104,106,108
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Georgia responded to the early stages of growth in female prison admissions by developing a long-range management plan incorporating a balanced system of corrections.
Abstract
Nationwide, the number of male inmates increased by 6.6 percent during 1987, while the number of women inmates increased 9.3 percent. Although there is significant diversity among the offenses committed by female inmates, the majority of correctional administrators at women's facilities report a dramatic rise in the number of substance abusers in their populations. A number of States have used alternatives to institutionalization to deal with the growing number of female offenders. Georgia, for example, has increased punishment options over the last 10 years to include six nonresidential programs encompassing traditional probation, specialized female caseloads, community service, intensive probation, women's out-service, and home confinement. The community residential option includes the Women's Diversion Center and a coed diversion center. During the past 10 years, the percentage of women admitted to Georgia prisons for violent crimes has declined, and the rate of women admitted for alcohol-related and drug-related offenses has more than tripled. Structured counseling programs have been implemented to address particular needs, including drug and alcohol programs, academic and vocational skills programs, coping skills for older women inmates, and two special management units for inmates with disruptive behavior problems.