NCJ Number
65823
Date Published
1980
Length
54 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT CRITICALLY EXAMINES SERVICES AVAILABLE TO WOMEN IN PRETRIAL DETENTION AT THE COOK COUNTY JAIL, COOK COUNTY, ILL., AND OFFERS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SUCH SERVICES.
Abstract
THE COOK COUNTY JAIL IS ONE OF THE LARGEST WOMEN'S JAILS IN THE U.S. AND USUALLY HOUSES ABOUT 200 WOMEN AT ANY GIVEN TIME. ALTHOUGH THE JAIL OFFERS MANY SERVICES NOT PROVIDED TO WOMEN IN OTHER JAILS, THESE SERVICES ARE NOT EQUAL TO THOSE PROVIDED TO MALE INMATES AT THE SAME FACILITY. MEDICAL SERVICES ARE PARTICULARLY LACKING FOR WOMEN INMATES. WOMEN WITH BROKEN BONES ARE CONFINED TOGETHER WITH PSYCHOTIC INMATES IN A FIVE-BED WARD AND ARE OFTEN NOT GIVEN COMPREHENSIVE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC SCREENING AT THE TIME OF ADMISSION TO THE JAIL. INTAKE SCREENING SHOULD BE MANDATORY FOR ALL WOMEN INMATES, AND HEALTH-RELATED EDUCATION SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE HYGIENE AND NUTRITION. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO WOMEN SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO OFFER TRAINING IN MORE HIGH-DEMAND SKILLS, SUCH AS AUTO MECHANICS AND METAL SHOP COURSES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO MEN; EVENING TUTORING ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS SHOULD ALSO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE WOMEN. THE LAW LIBRARIAN ASSIGNED TO THE WOMEN'S JAIL SHOULD BE AVAILABLE ON A REGULAR BASIS, AND GENERAL RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL READING SERVICES SHOULD BE MADE RELIABLE AND CONSISTENT. WOMEN SHOULD HAVE REGULAR ACCESS TO THE GYMNASIUM, PARTICULARLY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN OUTSIDE ACTIVITY IS LIMITED. A GENERAL POLICY ALLOWING CHILDREN TO VISIT THEIR MOTHERS IN JAIL SHOULD BE INSTITUTED, AND MORE FLEXIBLE VISITING HOURS INCLUDING EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED. THE REPORT ALSO DISCUSSES THE VITAL ROLE PLAYED BY SEVERAL OUTSIDE PRIVATE SERVICE PROVIDERS AND RELEVANT CASE LAW. FOOTNOTES AND APPENDIXES ON JAIL RULES AND RELATED INFORMATION ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--PRG)