NCJ Number
107971
Date Published
1985
Length
100 pages
Annotation
Based on the first United Nations Survey on the Situation of Women and the Administration of Criminal Justice System 1970-1982, this report highlights priority areas for policymakers at the international level regarding the fair treatment of female offenders and female criminal justice practitioners.
Abstract
After summarizing the survey's methodology and response, the paper discusses changing patterns in female criminality as they relate to age, offense type, and level of socioeconomic development. Slightly over half of the 61 countries responding to the survey reported an increase in female crime and delinquency between 1970 and 1982. A review of sex differentiation in criminal justice processing addresses the myth that women are treated more leniently than men, problems faced by females in custody, and pretrial diversion and noncustodial sanctions for women. The report's final section explores factors that have limited women's role in criminal justice administration and ways this participation can be broadened. Survey data on women in law enforcement, the court system, and corrections is discussed. The survey questionnaire, references, and tables.