Life History Models of Female Offending

Abstract

Our mixed-methods study advances understanding of pathways to offending for jailed women with and without mental illness. Life history interviews with 115 women from five U.S. states examined how onset of crime and delinquency varied based on mental health status and trauma exposure. Women in jails had high rates of mental health disorders, with a majority meeting lifetime diagnostic criteria for a serious mental illness (50%), posttraumatic stress disorder (51%), and/or substance use disorder (85%). Cox regression analyses were utilized to examine associations between life experiences and risk of engaging in specific criminalized behaviors. Serious mental illness was associated with substance use, running away as a teen, and drug offending. Substance use disorder was related to earlier onset of substance use and driving under the influence. Intimate partner violence increased women's risks for property crimes, drug offending, and commercial sex work. Witnessing violence increased risks for property crimes, fighting, and use of weapons. Experiences of caregiver violence increased the risk of running away as a teen. Qualitative narratives were reviewed to provide insight into connections between women's experiences and onset of criminal behavior. Findings demonstrate a need for gender-responsive and trauma-informed practices to address mental disorders and victimization among women offenders.

Patterns of Women's Aggression Against Partners and Others: Broadening Our Understanding of Violence

“…Similar to other studies of justice-involved women (e.g., DeHart et al 2013), most women (75 %) experienced victimization as an adult; 65 % by partners and 43 % by non-partner others. Moreover, a four-region study of women in detention found that there are high rates of victimization by partners (77 %), caregivers (60 %) and others (63 %;DeHart et al 2013). It should be remembered that our measures did not include sexual violence.…”

“…Moreover, a four-region study of women in detention found that there are high rates of victimization by partners (77 %), caregivers (60 %) and others (63 %;DeHart et al 2013). It should be remembered that our measures did not include sexual violence.…”

Long-Term Outcomes of a RCT Intervention Study for Women with Violent Crimes

“…Moreover, research demonstrates that substance use is related to victimization, as well as subsequent criminal justice involvement. (DeHart, Lynch, Belknap, Dass-Brailsford, & Green, 2014;Salisbury & vanVoorhis, 2009). Although we found no associations between relapse and recidivism in this study, our earlier research on the Beyond Violence RCT indicates that many incarcerated women have high rates of victimization, as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD (Kubiak et al, 2015); perhaps without treatment there might be a greater relationship between recidivism and relapse.…”

“…Often, correctional staff members see individuals serving sentences only as perpetrators and not as victims of violence. For many justice-involved women, victimization histories begin at an early age and continue into adulthood (DeHart et al, 2014;Messina & Grella, 2006), and practices such as strip-searches and pat-downs may exacerbate trauma symptoms (Miller & Najavits, 2012;SAMHSA, 2013). Women's prisons that have implemented trauma-informed services have experienced substantial decreases in institutional violence (i.e., assaults on officers/other inmates) and mental health problems (e.g., decrease in suicide attempts; Benedict, 2014).…”

Women Offender Assessment: Can Gender-Informed Variables Improve Prediction of Institutional Outcomes?

“…Kathleen Daly's (1992) Research has consistently found that women offenders report higher incidences of lifetime trauma, emotional problems, and mental health concerns than men prisoners and women in the general population (DeHart, Lynch, Belknap, Dass-Brailsford, & Green, 2014;Drapalski, Youman, Stuewig, & Tangney, 2009;Fazel & Seewald, 2012;Grella, Lovinger, & Warda, 2013). Some studies found victimization is associated with recidivism (Herbst, Branscomb-Burgess, Gelaude, Seth, Parker & Fogel, 2016;Taylor, 2015) and experiencing any trauma within the past year and history of physical abuse as an adult are significant predictors of recidivism (Bonta, Pang & Wallace-Capretta, 1995;Scott, Grella, Dennis & Funk, 2016).…”