Critical Issues in Managing Female Offenders: Women Offenders Have Unique Needs Which Impact the Ways in Which Staff Manage Them

• NCJ Number: 176014
• Journal: Corrections Today Volume: 60 Issue: 7 Dated: December 1998 Pages: 130-134
• Author(s): S Cranford; R Williams
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines critical issues in working with female offenders.

Abstract

Corrections professionals should begin by acknowledging that female behavior is different than male behavior, a fact that does not change just because a woman enters prison. The article discusses different ways in which male and female inmates communicate, the wide range of emotions women bring to their conversations and the need for corrections staff to learn to deal with such information. Corrections staff should receive gender-specific training, including how to deal with poor interpersonal relationships, criminality and risky sexual behavior. Programs that help women and their children maintain a constructive relationship during the women's incarceration help deter the children from trouble. The article suggests staff training for dealing with female sex offenders, older female offenders and youthful offenders. Vocational training for female offenders should include opportunities to learn marketable skills and on-the-job training should prepare them for after-release jobs. The article also addresses operational issues in correctional facilities for women.