NCJ Number
94299
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 64 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring/Summer 1984) Pages: complete issue
Editor(s)
R A Davis
Date Published
1984
Length
135 pages
Annotation
This series of articles looks at the realities of women in prison today -- women as inmates, guards, and managers -- in terms of the historical evolution of women's corrections, sex-role stereotyping, legal treatment, and attitude changes.
Abstract
The articles concentrate particularly on sex discrimination against women in general and against female inmates in particular, and how discrimination affects equal treatment and equal employment opportunities. One article notes that more programing is aimed at female inmates now, but women's interests remain subordinate to men. Policy changes in a women's prison in New York illustrate the influence of the feminist movement on prison reforms. Other articles explore how paternalistic attitudes toward women and sex-role stereotyping have led to inadequate programing for women and a pervasive system of regimentation and control. Authors suggest that women are too often treated like children in prisons when they, in reality, are often heads of households who need meaningful vocational training to survive. Two articles -- one an essay, the other a bibliography -- look at the writings of women prisoners, a genre too often overlooked. Other articles point out the negative stereotypes held by male guards towards both female inmates and guards, the former considered too emotional and thus difficult to handle, and the latter viewed as conflicting with the right of privacy of male offenders. A female corrections administrator discusses how sex discrimination retards the progress women have made up the management ladder. Another author describes Georgia's new service delivery plan for female offenders that is based on the theory that female inmates, having different needs, must be allowed to progress toward individual goals on a continuum of numerous service options. Another article explores the women's needs in terms of funding, program focus, and reform tactics. Articles include references and endnotes. Some statistical charts are included.