High incarceration rates among women on probation with victimization histories suggests need for gender-responsive treatment

Abstract

ABSTRACT Justice-involved women frequently experience victimization histories, mental illness, and substance use disorders, which create challenges with completing probation sentences. Although most justice-involved women are on probation, research focuses on prisoners. Studies on treatment services for the population primarily have samples from prison, creating limited knowledge on programs for women on probation. This study examines the impact of mental health and substance use treatment on the probation outcomes of women with victimization histories. Findings showed those in treatment were more likely to become incarcerated, casting doubt on programs for women on probation with victimization histories, substance use disorders, and mental illness. Implication of these findings include providing accessible and evidence-based mental health and substance use treatment for justice-involved women with victimization histories, in addition to creating more therapeutic and rehabilitative probation supervision that does not penalize people who experience mental health and addiction issues.