NCJ Number
94310
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 64 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring/Summer 1984) Pages: 129-135
Date Published
1984
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Women's prisons are asserting the integrity of their minority position and insisting that the larger system recognize them. Women's institutions should not behave like men's, should respond to the family needs of female inmates, should fight for their fair share of funds, and should test the validity of using classification systems for female offenders.
Abstract
The history of women's prisons is a blend of stereotypical views concerning women combined with a tradition of humane treatment and reform. Recognizing that a prison setting can be both secure and humane seems to be one of the many strengths of most women's prisons. Yet women's prisons in many States are being pressured to become more like male prisons since policies in male institutions are assumed to be the most suitable. The integrity of programs and environment of women's prisons should be maintained. The issue of family is integral to most women offenders' successful return to the community. Thus, women's prisons will need to provide both the counseling and support needed by offender mothers. Parenting skills classes, overnight visitation programs, family counseling, and other programs should be developed or continued. Moreover, historically women's prisons did not receive the same level of funding as male prisons. Women's prisons must request the funds necessary to assure that women offenders receive equitable treatment during incarceration. The courts are an ally in requiring equal treatment. In addition, classification systems, applied to male and female inmates in most States, may be harmful to women. Most classification systems have not been tested or validated for female offenders, yet they are assumed to be adequate. The validity of the classification systems for female offenders should be tested before they are implemented. One endnote and four references are supplied.