FORGOTTEN FEMALE OFFENDER

• NCJ Number: 48010
• Journal: Crime and Delinquency Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1977) Pages: 101-108
• Author(s): R R PRICE
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: ADAPTED FROM A PAPER PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY, KIAMESHA, N Y, JUNE 14, 1976

Annotation

SINCE ATTENTION TO THE FEMALE OFFENDER BY A MALE-DOMINATED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAD BEEN VIRTUALLY NONEXISTENT, SUGGESTIONS FOR REFORM AND REHABILITATION ARE MADE.

Abstract

THE PROBLEMS OF FEMALE OFFENDERS HAVE GENERATED LITTLE INTEREST IN A MALE-ORIENTED SYSTEM IN THE PAST, BUT VARIOUS FACTORS ARE FORCING THIS TO CHANGE. THE RISING FEMALE CRIME RATE AND THE INFLUENCE OF THE WOMEN'S LIBERATION MOVEMENT HAVE MADE CONTRIBUTIONS. MORE WOMEN ARE BEING ARRESTED FOR SERIOUS CRIMES, AND MORE ARE BEING CONVICTED AND RECEIVING PRISON SENTENCES. DESPITE ADVERSE MEDIA ATTENTION, HOWEVER, THE PROPORTION OF FEMALES ARRESTED FOR VIOLENT CRIME SUCH AS MURDER AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT HAS CHANGED LITTLE IN THE LAST THREE DECADES. FEMALE ARREST RATES FOR HOMICIDE HAVE BEEN THE MOST STABLE OF ALL STATISTICS ON VIOLENT OFFENSES. THE CRIME RATE INCREASE FOR WOMEN HAS MOSTLY OCCURRED FOR WHITE-COLLAR RELATED OFFENSES. OFFICIALLY, STATISTICS HAVE SUPPORTED THE ASSUMPTION THAT WOMEN HAVE BEEN 7 TO 20 TIMES LESS INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR THAN MEN. BUT SOME THEORISTS EXPLAIN THIS AS AN EFFECT OF A RELUCTANCE TO REPORT CRIMES BY WOMEN; AN UNWILLINGNESS TO HOLD WOMEN; AND A GENERAL ATTITUDE OF OVERLOOKING, EXCUSING, OR FORGIVING THE FEMALE CRIMINAL. EVEN AFTER CONVICTION, SOME ARGUE THAT WOMEN RECEIVE 'SPECIAL HANDLING.' SOMETIMES THIS IS ADVANTAGEOUS AND SOMETIMES IT IS NOT; E.G., THE PHYSICAL CONFINEMENT AREA FOR WOMEN IS OFTEN BETTER, BUT VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR WOMEN IS SERIOUSLY INADEQUATE. ALSO, WOMEN ARE OFTEN STILL INCARCERATED FOR LARCENY, FORGERY, FRAUD, PROSTITUTION, EMBEZZLEMENT, DRUNKENNESS, AND DRUG ABUSE. ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION FOR THESE WOMEN ARE ESSENTIAL. MORE WOMEN NEED TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND DECISIONMAKING LEVEL WHERE THEY CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE FEMALE OFFENDER. NOTES ARE PROVIDED. (JSP)