NCJ Number
111497
Date Published
1987
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This study analyzes legal, demographic, and inmate profile characteristics of 78 female offenders committed to the New York Department of Correctional Services for homicide offenses during 1986.
Abstract
Individual case files of female offenders were examined. Prior offense history, sentencing requirements, minimum and maximum sentences, accomplice involvement, weapon, and drug and alcohol use were reviewed. Findings indicate that 11 percent of 721 women inmates were committed for a homicide offense, and that the offender was the sole perpetrator in 81 percent of the homicides. The study also examines the relationship between homicides and battering, prior abuse by the homicide victim, abuse at the time of the offense, and prior abuse by someone other than the homicide victim. The characteristics of female homicide commitments as described include age, ethnic distribution, education, occupational status, number of children, and region of commitment. Two contrasting profiles of women who kill are presented. One theory posits that women who commit violent crimes are 'more liberated and similar to men in their willingness to commit homicide,' and the other argues that they are 'battered women who hold traditional views of sex roles, are insecure, dependent, and nonassertive.' Tabular data and 21 references.