CJ 350: Females

How many women are incarcerated worldwide?

Around 70,140 thousand women are incarcerated worldwide.

What is one major cause of women ending up in jail?

Poverty is one major cause.

Are the rates of incarcerated women increasing or decreasing?

The rates are rising.

What type of dependency is commonly seen among incarcerated women?

Chemical dependency.

What socio-economic factor contributes to women being incarcerated?

Socio-economic marginality.

What mental health condition is often associated with incarcerated women?

Anxious depression.

How do unhealthy relationships play a role in women's incarceration?

Unhealthy relationships can contribute to pathways that lead women to prison.

Have many incarcerated women experienced violence?

Yes, many report being victims of violent traumatic experiences.

Why are some women choosing to stay in prison longer?

Because staying longer is helping them with reentry plans.

What percentage of incarcerated women are expected to return home?

About 95% of women who are incarcerated are coming home.

How are communities described in relation to incarceration?

Communities are described as ecosystems.

Why is it important to understand the pathways and control issues related to women’s incarceration?

To better understand how they ended up in jail and their personal stories.

What percentage of incarcerated women are mothers?

About 85% are mothers.

How many incarcerated women are impacted by mental illness?

Around 80% have been impacted by mental illnesses.

What is secondary trauma in this context?

It refers to people not directly impacted by violence but affected through the experiences of their friends and family.

When might gender-based traits that influence antisocial behavior appear?

As early as infancy.

How do baby girls generally differ from baby boys in emotional control?

They show greater control over their emotions.

How do baby boys typically behave differently than girls emotionally?

They are more easily angered and depend more on input from their mothers.

What is the difference in socialization in females?

Females sustain relationships, are less aggressive, and blame themselves.

What is the difference in socialization in males?

Males are independent, aggressive, and externalize anger.

What are the cognitive differences in females?

Superior verbal ability, speak earlier, have better pronunciation, and read better.

What are the cognitive differences in males?

Superior visual/spatial ability and are better at math.

How do personality traits differ in women?

Have lower self-esteem, are more self-aware, and have a better attention span.

How do personality traits differ in men?

Have high self-esteem, are more materialistic, and have a lower attention span.

What is the basic idea behind socialization views on development?

A child’s social development is key to understanding behavioral issues.

How does family disruption affect a child's behavior?

It can make the child more susceptible to delinquent behavior or negative associations.

What is precocious sexuality and how does it impact girls?

It makes girls vulnerable to older men who may lead them toward destructive behavior.

How do socialization differences in boys affect their development?

They are encouraged to value independence.

How do socialization differences in girls affect their development?

They risk feeling alienated due to failed relationships.

Are there cognitive differences between males and females starting in childhood?

Yes, and these differences become more established during adolescence and remain stable into adulthood.

In what type of cognitive tasks do males tend to excel?

Males excel at tasks involving manipulation of visual images in working memory.

How might gender distinctions explain delinquency rates?

They partly explain why males have significantly higher delinquency rates than females.

How do males typically view aggression?

As an appropriate means to gain status.

How do males differ from females in forming attachments?

Males are more aggressive and less likely to form attachments to others.

What do trait views argue about gender differences and delinquency?

Biological and psychological differences between males and females can explain differences in crime rates.

How were early biological explanations used to understand female criminals?

Women who committed crimes were believed to have distinct physical characteristics.

What is the masculinity hypothesis?

It suggested that delinquent girls had excessive male characteristics.

What did Lombroso argue about women compared to men?

He claimed women were lower on the evolutionary scale than men.

How were female delinquents perceived compared to male delinquents?

Female delinquents were seen as more promiscuous and sophisticated.

What is the theory behind Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and female violence?

Early biotheorists suspected PMS could cause rare instances of female violence.

Who popularized the idea that PMS is linked to delinquency?

Katherina Dalton.

What is the current view on the link between PMS and female delinquency?

There is conflicting evidence today.

What types of crimes are women involved in?

Murder, manslaughter, rape, arson, terrorism, domestic violence, gang violence, kidnapping, and robbery.

What are the main crimes that women are imprisoned for?

Drug offenses, violence, theft, robbery, burglary, fraud, motoring offenses, other.

What is the crime percentage of drug offenses do women commit who are in prison?

37%.

What is the crime percentage of violence offenses do women commit who are in prison?

17%.

What is the crime percentage of theft offenses do women commit who are in prison?

13%.

What is the crime percentage of robbery offenses do women commit who are in prison?

11%.

What is the crime percentage of burglary offenses do women commit who are in prison?

8%.

What is the crime percentage of fraud offenses do women commit who are in prison?

4%.

What is the crime percentage of motoring offenses do women commit who are in prison?

1%.

What is the crime percentage of other offenses do women commit who are in prison?

Other: 9%.

What is the lifetime likelihood of imprisonment for all men?

All men: 1 in 9.

What is the lifetime likelihood of imprisonment for all women?

All women: 1 in 56.

What is the lifetime likelihood of imprisonment for white men?

1 in 17.

What is the lifetime likelihood of imprisonment for white women?

1 in 111.

What is the lifetime likelihood of imprisonment for Black men?

1 in 3.

What is the lifetime likelihood of imprisonment of Black women?

1 in 18.

What is the lifetime likelihood of imprisonment for Latino men?

1 in 6.

What is the lifetime likelihood of imprisonment of Latina women?

1 in 45.

What are some causes of female crime?

Financial gain, domestic abuse, being forced or targeted.

How do personal factors contribute to female crime compared to male offenders?

Female offenders often have lower education levels, less social experience, weak analytical skills, and are more easily coerced or deceived.

What psychological factors can lead to female crime?

Vanity, unrealistic comparisons, hedonism, narrow-mindedness, and being vindictive.

Why might women be more vulnerable to going astray?

They lack knowledge of how to protect themselves legally and are easily manipulated by others.

What family-related causes contribute to female crime?

Women often have no income, no place in the family, suffer domestic violence, and feel pressure not to reveal family issues publicly.

How does the macho mentality affect domestic violence?

It leads husbands to believe they are superior and to frequently beat their wives.

What is a flaw in the current relief mechanisms for domestic violence victims?

Only 23.6% of women seek help, and victims are ignored and told not to go.

What is the percentage of domestic violence victims who are ignored or persuaded not to go public?

15.6%.

How do women’s crime rates compare to men’s?

Women commit fewer crimes, but they still commit all types of offenses.

What motivates women’s property crimes?

Economic factors.

How are women offenders viewed in society?

As 'doubly deviant' for breaking laws and gender norms.

What are suggested ways to minimize women's crime?

Treat violence as a public health concern, localize programs, target hotspots, focus on prevention, avoid repressive policies, and address drug impacts.

Who was the Nashville school shooter and what were the key facts?

Audrey Hale, 28, a former student, killed six people and was shot by police 14 minutes after the 911 call.

What weapons did the Nashville shooter use?

Two assault-style rifles and a handgun, two of which were legally purchased.

Why are women called the 'forgotten offenders'?

They commit fewer and less serious crimes, receive lenient treatment, and make up a small proportion of the correctional population (6%).

What is institutionalized sexism in women’s prisons?

Women’s prisons are farther from families, offer fewer programs, and lack specialized treatment compared to men’s prisons.

What percentage of the prison population is male?

94%.

What percentage of the prison population is female?

6%.

What percentage of the jail population is male?

89%.

What percentage of the jail population is female?

11%.

What is the percentage of males who commit murder?

Male: 89%.

What is the percentage of females who commit murder?

Female: 11%.

What is the percentage of males who commit rape?

99%.

What is the percentage of females who commit rape?

1%.

What is the percentage of males who commit robbery?

90%.

What is the percentage of females who commit robbery?

10%.

What is the percentage of males who commit aggravated assault?

80%.

What is the percentage of females who commit aggravated assault?

20%.

What is the percentage of males who commit burglary?

87%.

What is the percentage of females who commit burglary?

13%.

What is the percentage of males who commit larceny theft?

65%.

What is the percentage of females who commit larceny theft?

35%.

What is the percentage of males who commit auto theft?

84%.

What is the percentage of females who commit auto theft?

16%.

What is the percentage of males who commit arson?

85%.

What is the percentage of females who commit arson?

15%.

What are the typical demographics of female inmates?

Predominantly African American (46%) or White (46%), aged 25–34, never married (45%), and with some high school education.

What are the most common offense types for women in prison?

Drug-related: 34%, Violent: 28%, Property: 26%, Public order: 11%.

How do male offenses differ from female offenses?

Males are more involved in violent crimes (49% vs. 28% for women) and less involved in drug-related offenses (20% vs. 34% for women).

What are 'pseudo families' in women’s prisons?

Informal family-like structures that help women cope with incarceration by playing roles like parents and siblings.