NCJ Number
137837
Date Published
1989
Length
42 pages
Annotation
This report of two surveys conducted in penal institutions for women in the Netherlands identifies some characteristics of the 135 women imprisoned in Groningen, Maastricht, and Amsterdam; describes their passage through the institutions, the daily program, and contacts with people outside the institutions; and addresses health problems and needs and the best and worst of prison life.
Abstract
More than half of the women were imprisoned for drug offenses. These offenses were committed by foreign women in half of the cases in the first survey and in 64 percent of the cases in the second survey. One-third of the property offenses included violence. The "other" category included less serious violent offenses, sex offenses, and traffic offenses. Inmates can choose their activities in addition to work. Sports and education are the activities with the highest participation. Negative remarks about the medical care were made by 63 percent of the women who describe the doctor as incompetent. Those women who responded in regard to the best of prison life mostly named a particular activity. Asked about the worst of prison life, the women complained about dependence on others, their relations with officers, and difficult working conditions. 1 figure, 8 tables, and 2 appendixes