NCJ Number
56179
Journal
Humanist Volume: 38 Issue: 5 Dated: (SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 28-31
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS PERSONAL RECOLLECTION OF INCARCERATION AT TERMINAL ISLAND, CALIF., DESCRIBES THE ROUTINE OF DAILY LIFE, THE GANGS, THE HOMOSEXUALITY IN A WOMAN'S PRISON, AND THE PROBLEMS FACING A WOMAN UPON RELEASE.
Abstract
THE OPENING NARRATION CONTAINS A FEW STATISTICS ON THE INCREASE OF WOMEN IN PRISONS DURING THE 1970'S. IT SUGGESTS THAT IF THOSE WOMEN WHO HAVE MERELY BEEN CHARGED, BUT NOT CONVICTED, WERE REMOVED FROM THE PRISON SYSTEM, OVERCROWDING WOULD BE ELIMINATED. THE DESCRIPTION OF DAILY LIFE CRITICIZES SEXIST EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES IN THE PRISON TRAINING PROGRAM. THE MEN'S SIDE OF THE FACILITY HANDLED A COMPUTER PROGRAMMING AND OTHER STATUS JOBS WHILE THE WOMEN'S SIDE HANDLED KEYPUNCHING ON OUTMODED TERMINALS. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT AN EMPLOYER WOULD HAVE TO RETRAIN ANY OF THE RELEASED WOMEN. THE PROBLEMS FACED WHEN THE WOMEN WANTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TRAINING PROGRAMS OFFERED TO MEN ARE REVIEWED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT ONE REASON THAT POORLY EDUCATED WOMEN ARE TURNING TO CRIME IS THAT THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY IN CRIME THAN IN REGULAR JOBS. THE FORMATION OF 'FAMILIES' AMONG THE WOMEN INMATES, THE VARIOUS HOMOSEXUAL AND STRAIGHT RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THESE FAMILIES, AND THE INTERACTIONS OF THESE FAMILIES WITH OTHERS ARE DESCRIBED. THE NARRATION ENDS WITH A GANG FIGHT AND HIGHLIGHTS THE LACK OF GOOD MEDICAL CARE. (GLR)