Correctional Programming for Incarcerated Women

Overview of the Study

  • Subject: Examination of correctional programming for incarcerated women.
  • Authors: Kaitlyn M. Pederson et al.
  • Sample Size: 545 incarcerated women across multiple institutions in a Southern prison system.
  • Goal: Identify perceptions of accessibility, benefits, needs, and issues regarding correctional programming among women.

Increasing Incarceration Rates of Women

  • Rapid increase in incarceration rates over the past 40 years, primarily driven by changes in social and legislative policies, e.g., the war on drugs.
  • Key Statistics:
    • Male state prison population increased by 367.0% (1978 - 2015).
    • Female state prison population increased by 834.0% in the same period.
  • Despite this growth, programming remains largely gender-neutral, failing to meet the specific needs of women.

Characteristics of Incarcerated Women

  • Women are often primary caregivers and face different challenges than their male counterparts:
    • Mental Health Issues: Higher incidence compared to men (73.1% vs. 55.0%).
    • Victimization History: High levels of past abuse linked to criminal behavior (25% to 71.8% report childhood abuse).
    • Substance Abuse: Approximately 69.2% meet criteria for drug dependence.

Current State of Correctional Programming

  • Existing programs tend to ignore gender-specific needs and focus primarily on traditional male-centered models.
  • Programming Gaps:
    • Lack of job training, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment.
    • Inertia in developing gender-responsive programming despite supporting research.

Perception of Program Availability

  • Barriers Identified:
    • Lack of eligibility due to sentence length (43.40%) and lack of available programs (29.95%).
    • Insufficient information about program options (25.13%) and overcrowding (10.15%).
  • Eligibility Restrictions: Many women must meet arbitrary criteria tied to sentence length or educational background, limiting access to rehabilitation programs.

Beneficial Programs According to Incarcerated Women

  • Women reported the following programs as most beneficial:
    • Faith-Based Programs (29.41%): Help in maintaining positive focus during incarceration.
    • Cognitive Programs (15.59%): These include skill-building around emotional regulation and coping mechanisms.
    • Substance Use Programs (11.76%): Helped in dealing with triggers and preparing for community reentry.
    • Life Skills Programs (10.00%): Focus on practical skills for reintegration into society.

Identified Needs for Future Programming

  • Women expressed urgent needs for:
    1. Vocational Training (22.33%): Programs tailored to traditional female roles (e.g., cosmetology) as compared to opportunities available to men.
    2. Substance Use Programs (20.38%): Specialized programs focused on individual substance issues.
    3. Re-entry Programs (14.07%): Support for navigating life after release (e.g., understanding modern technology).
    4. Educational Programs (12.62%): Greater accessibility to GED and higher education initiatives.
    5. Mental Health Counseling (8.25%): Ongoing support for mental health issues, stemming from prior trauma and incarceration stress.

Recommendations for Improvement

  • Increase Communication: Enhance information sharing regarding available programs and eligibility.
  • Structured Program Scheduling: Implement a rotating calendar of courses to standardize access to programs.
  • Peer-Led Initiatives: Foster independence by allowing incarcerated women to lead or assist in managing some programs, leveraging their diverse backgrounds.
  • Implement Gender-Sensitive Assessment Tools: Use tools like the Women’s Risk Need Assessment (WRNA) to better match programming to the specific needs of incarcerated women.

Conclusion

  • The findings affirm the disparity that incarcerated women face in correctional programs and underscore the need for a shift toward gender-responsive programming that adequately addresses their unique needs, leading to potential reductions in recidivism and improved outcomes for reintegration into society.