NCJ Number
223212
Date Published
2007
Length
40 pages
Annotation
In this chapter, the prevalence of major mental illnesses among female prisoners is explored, and the need to address the mental health concerns of women offenders both in the prison and upon their return to the community is also discussed.
Abstract
With the dramatic increase in the number of women entering prisons and the high rate of mental illnesses among them, it is incumbent on society to begin to address the underlying causes of increases in offending among women, Yet, greater focus on the mental health needs of women in the community would begin to show significant benefits by ultimately reducing the number of women with mental illnesses entering into custody. Once they are in custody, though, it is critical that a systematic program that includes the identification and treatment of mental illness among women be implemented. Without such a program, the revolving phenomenon will persist and women with major mental illnesses, whose mental health needs will go unmet, will continue to cycle between the community and prison. The key in today’s criminal justice system is the change in offenders who in the past were at the margins of custody (i.e., nonviolent, drug dependent offenders) are now routinely imprisoned with average periods of imprisonment increasing. Female offenders, and particularly those with mental illnesses, are especially vulnerable to these changes. This chapter outlines the prevalence and nature of mental illness among women offenders in prisons and in the community. It identifies the high incidence of mental illness problems among, in particular female prisoners, reviewing what needs to be in place to effectively respond to the mental health needs of women who offend. References, and appendix 1-6