An Analysis of the Impact of Prison on Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Cumulative Sexual Victimization and Mental Health Outcomes Among Incarcerated Women

“…Most experts agree that an accurate estimation is about 50% (Asberg & Renk, 2012;Gilfus, 2002;Heney & Kristiansen 1998;Marcus-Mendoza & Wright, 2003;McClellan, Farabee & Crouch, 1997;Zlotnick, 1997), compared to a rate in the general population of about 30% (Asberg & Renk, 2012;Heney & Kristiansen, 1998).…”

“…While many incarcerated females share this type of history, the majority of women who are abused as children never commit a crime (Browne & Finkelhor, 1986;Heney & Kristiansen, 1998). In addition, it is hard to tease out the effects of the abuse from other negative factors in the childhood environment because many of the women who were sexually abused as children also experienced environmental factors associated with a greater likelihood of committing a crime (Heney & Kristiansen, 1998;Sharp, 2014;Sharp, Peck & Hartsfield, 2012). Studies that use the ACE data show multiple types of abuse, as well as household dysfunction, can contribute to problems lasting well into adulthood (Dube et al, 2003;Edwards et al, 2003;Felitti et al, 1998).…”

“…Stephanie Covington and Barbara Bloom (2003) point out the need to "do no harm" (p. 10) in the criminal justice system, proposing we must be aware of the additional damage that prison can do to women with histories of victimization (Covington & Bloom, 2003). For example, the regular operating procedures and dynamics of a prison can re-trigger PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in traumatized women, feeding the powerlessness that many women felt prior to incarceration (Marcus-Mendoza & Wright, 2003;Bloom, Owen & Covington, 2004;Covington & Bloom, 2003;Heney & Kristiansen, 1998). Furthermore, the power matrix of the correctional system, a mostly male-run and operated institution, can reinforce the gendered order of males dominating and victimizing females (Heney & Kristiansen, 1998).…”

“…For example, the regular operating procedures and dynamics of a prison can re-trigger PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in traumatized women, feeding the powerlessness that many women felt prior to incarceration (Marcus-Mendoza & Wright, 2003;Bloom, Owen & Covington, 2004;Covington & Bloom, 2003;Heney & Kristiansen, 1998). Furthermore, the power matrix of the correctional system, a mostly male-run and operated institution, can reinforce the gendered order of males dominating and victimizing females (Heney & Kristiansen, 1998). Eventually, most women who are in prison will be released back into their communities, often with the responsibility of raising their children.…”

Revictimization: Advancing Theory and Method

“…Some incarcerated women report that being in prison is safer for them than being outside of prison (Bradley & Davino, 2002;Richie, 1996). However, incarceration may also further traumatize victims of abuse through prison procedures that trigger memories of abuse (Heney & Kristiansen, 1998) or through sexual coercion that occurs while women are in prison (Struckman-Jones & Struckman-Jones, 2002). Similar to homelessness, incarceration may disrupt social networks and lead to isolation (Cook et al, 2005).…”