NCJ Number
90999
Date Published
1981
Length
1374 pages
Annotation
Testimony examines the problems and needs of women offenders, particularly those in the Federal prison system, with attention to facilities, rehabilitation, health services, and job training.
Abstract
Testimony by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons presents a female offender profile, descriptions of the facilities and programs of Federal institutions housing female offenders, and the work of the Federal Female Offender Task Force, which has recommended geographic placement of women offenders closer to their legal residences, more appropriate and reduced security, more parenting programs, better medical and psychiatric health care, and the development of needed job skills. Testimony also considers the health needs of women when they enter prison, the health services available in the Federal prison system, and the changes required to bring quality health care service to Federal female inmates. A statement by the task force of the West Virginia Advisory Committee recommends the phasing out of the Federal women's correctional institution at Alderson, W. Va., due to its isolated location and other problems which have resisted remediation. Testimony regarding efforts to ameliorate the undesirable prison conditions for women holds little hope for change through grievance procedures and accreditation but does advocate greater legal aid for inmates to seek remedies through the courts. Testimony is given by the wardens of the Federal correctional institutions housing women and inmates from the Federal women's correctional institution at Alderson, W. Va. Included in the appended material is a report by the General Accounting Office on a nationwide study of female offenders in Federal, State, and local correctional facilities. The study indicates that women offenders have been neglected in the areas of health care, facilities, and job training. Supplemental materials of witnesses are appended. For individual documents, see NCJ 91000-07.