Improving Correctional Strategies for Women at the Margins: Recommendations for an Intersectionally-Responsive Approach

Abstract

ABSTRACTSince the early 1990s, an abundance of research and scholarship has been devoted toward developing “what works” in correctional assessment and rehabilitative treatment, including gender-responsive strategies for women. However, far less is known regarding the effects of such correctional strategies on women with intersectional identities (e.g., racially diverse, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender). Such considerations are important as marginalized women are disproportionately over-represented within the United States correctional population. This article seeks to advance correctional strategies for women through the application of an intersectional lens. First, a brief overview of gender-responsive correctional strategies and current limitations are provided. Next, intersectionality and intersectional criminology are summarized. Finally, recommendations for an intersectionally-responsive approach are presented to help improve correctional supervision and treatment for women at the margins.Note: An earlier version of this manuscript was awarded the American Society of Criminology Division on Women and Crime Graduate Student Paper Award. I would like to acknowledge and thank my doctoral advisory committee for their guidance on this topic area: Drs. Emily Salisbury, Emily Troshynski, and Gillian Pinchevsky. I would also like to thank Dr. Dana Radatz for her feedback and support. Finally, I would like to thank the reviewers for their insight and constructive feedback that helped strengthen this manuscript.