NCJ Number
44061
Date Published
1977
Length
25 pages
Annotation
THE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS CRIMINALS, VICTIMS, INMATES, AND EMPLOYEES OF THE SYSTEM IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
THEORIES OF FEMALE CRIMINALITY ARE DISCUSSED, AND STATISTICS ON FEMALE INVOLVEMENT IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES ARE REVIEWED. THE STATISTICS SHOW THAT FEMALE CRIMINALITY IS INCREASING, PARTICULARLY IN THOSE AREAS ASSOCIATED WITH ECONOMIC GAIN. THE EMERGENCE OF GREATER OVERTNESS IN FEMALE CRIMES IS ALSO DETECTED. A REVIEW OF FEMALE PERSONNEL IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM POINTS OUT THAT, DESPITE CHANGING SOCIAL ATTITUDES AND NEW ROLES FOR FEMALES IN SOCIETY, WOMEN REMAIN GROSSLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN ALL BRANCHES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSCTICE SYSTEM. IT IS NOTED THAT FEMALE LAW ENFORCEMENT, COURT, AND CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL MUST OVERCOME NOT ONLY THE DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES OF SOCIETY IN GENERAL, BUT ALSO THE ORGANIZATIONAL AND ATTITUDINAL PREJUDICES THAT DOMINATE TRADITIONALLY MALE DISCIPLINES. A REVIEW OF THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN PRISON TOUCHES ON THE STRUCTURE OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR FEMALES, SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF IMPRISONMENT, PRISON PROGRAMS AND ALTERNATIVES, AND THE DEARTH OF RESEARCH ON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR WOMEN. THE DISCUSSION CLOSES WITH AN OVERVIEW OF WOMEN AS VICTIMS OF CRIME, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO WOMEN AS VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. CRIMINAL-VICTIM RELATIONSHIPS, VICTIM PRECIPITATION OR PROVOCATION, AND THE PLIGHT OF THE RAPE VICTIM ARE AMONG THE TOPICS DISCUSSED. A LIST OF REFERENCES AND A CHAPTER TEST ARE INCLUDED.