NCJ Number
181448
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Dated: September 1999 Pages: 3-5
Date Published
September 1999
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article presents the recommendations of Canada's Task Force on Federally Sentenced Women, which were presented in 1990, and reviews the efforts of the Correctional Service of Canada to implement these recommendations.
Abstract
The task force recommended the development of a holistic approach to corrections for women that uses the following guiding principles: empowerment, meaningful and responsible choices, respect and dignity, a supportive environment, and shared responsibility. These principles were the driving force for specific recommendations to replace the Prison for Women in Kingston, Ontario, with four regional facilities and an Aboriginal healing lodge; the use of a community-living model in constructing these regional facilities; the development of women-centered programs; and the creation of an effective community strategy for women offenders. The opening of the last of five new facilities for women in 1997 exemplifies the Service's commitment to make the task force recommendations a reality. The regionalization of women's facilities has not affected release patterns. Data show that the Service currently has approximately 350 women incarcerated and 490 under community supervision, a much better balance than what has been achieved for male offenders. In 1996 the Service created separate maximum-security units for women within designated male facilities. The results of program evaluation projects have contributed to the overall program strategy for women's corrections; these have been invaluable in testing research methodologies appropriate for women offenders. 6 footnotes