Difficulties Experienced by Women in Prison

Abstract

This article assembles data that identify some problems experienced by women incarcerated in prisons in the United States. Inequalities in occupational and educational programs offered in women's prisons in comparison with those offered in prisons for men are discussed. The impact of inadequate health and mental health services on the lives of these women is explored, and separation problems encountered by the woman prisoner and her family are examined. Some recommendations for change are suggested.

Gender Differences in the Transformation Narrative: Implications for Revised Reentry Strategies for Female Offenders

“…Despite an incredible 757% increase in women's representation in prison populations between 1977 and 2004, women have been ignored in reentry research until recently (Dodge & Pogrebin, 2001;Richie, 2001). Over 25 years ago Sobel (1982) recognized that women's prisons often lacked the available services that were designed to facilitate community reentry. More recently, Van Wormer (2002) corroborates that society has overlooked the special needs of female offenders and the influence of addiction, unhealthy relationships, or both figure into the crimes for which women are punished.…”

Exploring Prison Adjustment among Female Inmates

“…However, it also appears to be affected by the less-articulated belief that women adjust more easily and with less violent disruptions than men. The few existing comparative studies point to substantial differences in adjustment patterns between male and female inmate populations (Koban, 1983;Linquist & Linquist, 1997;Sobel, 1982).…”

“…Sobel (1982) examined differences in the educational and occupational opportunities offered to male and female inmates and reviewed the various ways incarceration affected the mother-child relationship. Koban (1983) similarly sought to define the effects of incarceration on parenting, documenting numerous ways in which females had greater difficulty adjusting to separation from children than did male inmates.…”

An Outcome Evaluation of a Midwestern Prisoner Reentry Initiative

“…In a prisoner reentry context, relational theory emphasizes establishing strong social connections and repairing disconnected relationships before and during the transition from prison to community (O'Brien, 2001). Incarcerated women experience relationship strain resulting from physical separation caused by imprisonment and the compounding reality that female prisons are often farther from residences of family and friends than male prisons, which decreases visitation opportunities (Singer, Bussey, Song, & Lunghofer, 1995;Sobel, 1982). This latter problem especially applies to the females studied here, as female prisons are not in close proximity to where the women live.…”