Women in Prison

1. Women in Prison • Dramatic increases in women in prison between 1986 and 2002 • More and crimes, rather than violence • Women may have more to commit crimes • Shorter maximum sentences than men

2. Women in Prison • Characteristics of women in prison • More likely to have been abused • Younger, single, and economically disadvantaged • More likely to be mothers • Slightly older than male prisoners • Weaker criminal histories • Likely unemployed • Custodial parents pre-incarceration

3. Women in prison • Generally they present little risk to the general public • likely to recidivate when compared to men • Generally have for intensive programming • Such as drug treatment • likely to have experience sexual abuse as a child and/or as an adult.

4. Life in a prison for women • Lower threat of violence • More laughter and more tears • Many appreciate when programs are offered • Groups

5. Life in a prison for women • Homosexuality tends to be consensual • Gender-specific programming • Higher rates of guard  inmate sexual activity and abuse

6. Prisoners as mothers • Estimates say 60 – 85% of incarcerated women are mothers of children under 18

7. Prisoners as mothers • Estimates say 60 – 85% of incarcerated women are mothers of children under 18 • More than half never receive visits while in prison

8. Prisoners as mothers • 6 – 10% are pregnant in jail/prison • 77% exposed their fetuses to drugs • Higher than average rates of miscarriage • Shackling during birth • Immediate separation from the newborns • Fail to receive much in the way of prenatal care

9. Prisoners as mothers • What is needed? • Parenting programs addressing children’s needs • Counseling or support groups for children • Frequent contact with mom during incarceration supports future reunification with children • Social support