FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE Chapter 10 The Incarceration of Women Historical trends in women s incarceration Women and men both suffered in filth overcrowding harsh conditions Women were confined in separate quarters in men s prisons Auburn Penitentiary NY Women were victims of sexual assault by male inmates and guards during this time 1920s period Elizabeth Fry Argued that women offenders were capable of being reformed and that it was the responsibility of women in the community to assist those who had fallen victim to a lifestyle of crime Fry s reform movement UK influenced prison reform in the USA Moral Public Order offenses Sexual offenses Drunkenness Unwed pregnancies Unlawful intercourse Changes made during female prison reform Women should be under the authority of women Women should be housed in their own institutions Indiana Women s Prison The first stand alone female prison in the United States It was also the first maximum security prison for females Reformatory Reformatory vs Custodial Institutions o Prison was designed with the intent to rehabilitate female offenders specifically it was to improve the moral character of women o Women were convicted of public order offenses o Women received an indeterminate sentence o Effective in responding to women prisoners being abused o Treatment orientation and philosophy has been criticized by feminist scholars Custodial o Similar in design and purpose of male institutions o Women were warehoused o Women were convicted of felony and property related crimes o This institution type more popular in the Southern states o More likely to house women of color who were determined to have little rehabilitative potential o Unsanitary living environment o Inadequate sewage and bathing systems o Work conditions dominated by physical labor and corporal punishment o Use of solitary confinement for women with mental health issues MCI Framingham MA describe this facility o Opened 1877 o All female staff o Inmate nursery o On site hospital o Programming activities o No fences o Prison farm Profile of Women in the CJ System In their early to mid thirties Disproportionately women of color Most likely to have been convicted of a drug or drug related offense Fragmented family histories with other family members also involved with the criminal justice system Survivors of physical and or sexual abuse as children and adults Significant substance abuse problems Multiple physical and mental health problems Unmarried mothers of minor children High school degree GED but limited vocational training and sporadic work histories Explanations for high female incarceration rates Result of minor property crimes which reflects the economic vulnerability that women experience in society or cases involving drug related crimes and the public health addiction issues facing women War on Drugs Mandatory minimum sentencing Racial Ethnic Composition of Incarceration Rates All women o 67 White o 47 Black o 133 Latina o 77 Effects of Prison Crowding Offense types by race ethnicity Increases stress feelings thoughts of self harm May lead to increased levels of suicide risk Categories of Female Inmate Relationships Acquaintances o Relationship is temporary superficial o Involves low level of trust Friends Pseudo families Girlfriends o Less common type of relationship o More meaningful relationship an increased level of trust o These relationships have the potential to continue beyond prison o Provide supportive networks to help with the pains of imprisonment o Not always seen as a positive asset due to limited respect among family members o Romantic relationship that develops between inmates o Majority of women identify as heterosexual o Few of these relationships involve intimate contact Mental Health Needs Women in prison have significantly higher rates of mental illness compared to women in the general population 13 of women in federal facilities and 24 of women in state prisons indicate that they have been diagnosed with a mental disorder The pains of imprisonment including the separation from family and adapting to the prison environment can exacerbate these conditions Prescription medications are the primary form of psychiatric treatment Once given medication women fail to receive follow up treatment services The availability of therapeutic services Prison doesn t provide therapeutic resources as a form of treatment Physical Needs Female inmates have a higher need for treatment than males inmates Prison system has limited resources and ability to address issues Women in prison are more likely to be HIV positive Most prions lack the diagnostic tools to address women s gynecological issues Women have higher rates of chronic illnesses than men Treatment of chronic illnesses Tendency to medicate inmates Needs for treatment Female inmates have a higher need for treatment than male inmates Amount of prison resources provided to treat physical and mental health needs Demand for services are significantly outweighed by their availability What happens when female inmates do not comply with prescribed medication protocol The grounds for denial of privileges Disciplinary actions Can be used against an offender during a parole hearing How does the growth of female incarceration affect the lives of their children These children are at high risk for ending up in prison themselves as adults Women have to determine who will take care of their children while they are incarcerated Prison location affects whether children are able to visit their mother Social services will place minor children in foster care Prison Nurseries and Programming for children of incarcerated mothers Only 9 states have prison nurseries Women are allowed to remain with their children for at least part of their sentence Bedford Hills Correctional Facility NY Has the oldest nursery program Is the largest in the country and 29 mothers are allowed to reside with their infant child Women take classes on infant development and participate in support groups with other moms Older children can participate in programs at the facility with their moms Adoption and Safe Families Act 1997 Requires that States move to terminate parental rights for children who have been in Foster Care for 15 out of the last 22 months Gender Responsive Programming Six Principles examples o Accepting a broad spectrum of social and environmental disparities b w men and Gender women offenders Environment facilitate behavioral change Relationships