Women Inmates Research Articles

THE ATTRACTING BASINS AND THE ASSESSMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION COEFFICIENTS FOR HIV AND M. TUBERCULOSIS INFECTIONS AMONG WOMEN INMATES

It has been observed that in many cases one infection can partially protect against another infection or it may lead to a co-infection. For instance, the interaction between infections with different strains, like dengue and malaria or tuberculosis and lepra, induces cross immunity. On the other hand, individuals infected with HIV are much more susceptible to other infections, for instance, tuberculosis. We propose a compartmental model to describe the transmission of AIDS and tuberculosis in a closed community as an example of one infection activating the other one. When studying the dynamics of the interactions we obtain basins of attraction where one infection prevails over the other one and where both infections coalesce. Furthermore, we are taking into account an adaptation of the model in order to assess the transmission coefficients for HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections among women inmates.

Effectiveness of an Anger Management Program for Women Inmates

The effectiveness of an anger management program in a mixed security (minimum and medium security) institution was evaluated using a sample of 33 female inmates (19 treatment and 14 control). A significant within-participant effect revealed statistically significant decreases in anger and aggression variables as measured by the Novaco Anger Scale and the Aggression Questionnaire, respectively. As well, significant reductions in the number of institutional charges at post-test were obtained for the treatment group but not the control group. Inmate surveys also indicated moderate levels of program impact and satisfaction. Although the present findings support the effectiveness of the current program, the magnitude of the results is conservative in comparison to those currently reported in the literature. Implications and recommendations for future anger treatment research are discussed.

The Effect of Time on the Disciplinary Adjustment of Women in Prison

The number of women in state and federal prisons has doubled in the past 10 years (from approximately 40,000 to more than 87,000), yet research on women in prisons is extremely limited, especially with regard to women in maximum-security institutions. Significant studies on women inmates have focused on inmates’ adaptation to prison life and the development of kinship groups while incarcerated. A few studies have examined the disciplinary behavior of female inmates, by comparing female inmates with male inmates. However, there exists little research on the temporal patterns of disciplinary behavior among women inmates, which was the focus of this article.

Convicted Survivors: Comparing and Describing California's Battered Women Inmates

This study describes women incarcerated at a California prison for the death of their male abusers and compares them with a statewide sample of women inmates. Women convicted for using lethal violence against abusive partners differ from the broader population of California women prisoners on key demographic markers. Furthermore, despite a clear lack of criminal or violent histories, the overwhelming majority of battered women are convicted of first- or second-degree murder and receive long, harsh sentences whether they are represented by private or by public attorneys. This research suggests the possibility of a systematic criminal justice bias against women who kill their male partners.

Traumatic Incident Reduction I

Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) is a one-session intervention that proved effective in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttrau-matic stress disorder (PTSD) in an experimental outcome study of a randomly assigned sample of 123 women inmates. TIR also proved effective in increasing levels of self-efficacy (expectancy of success) in these women. This article discusses in detail both the treatment protocol offered the women inmates and the research design and results of the experimental outcome study. The article also makes suggestions for practice and research related to traumatized women inmates.

Traumatic Incident Reduction II

Correctional staff sometimes complain that women inmates require more attention than their male counterparts. Inter-generational abuse and the re-traumatization of women within correctional facilities constitute components that explain both the mind-set and the mental-health treatment needs of women inmates. This article relays the story of the re-traumatization of an Hispanic inmate. Also, this article offers suggestions for practice and research related to traumatized women inmates.

Changing Demographics and Programs at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women, 1982-1998

Women inmates in Nebraska have demographic similarities and differences which are often at odds with contradicting national data. Over the past fifteen years, the demographics of women incarcerated at the Nebraska Center for Women have experienced substantial change. The number of inmates incarcerated for violent offenses has increased by 8 percent and now constitutes 42 percent of the overall inmate population. The number of inmates incarcerated for drug related offenses has similarly increased and now comprises 36 percent of the population, while 85 percent of all inmates have been identified as having a substance abuse problem. Unfortunately, the inpa-tient treatment program can only handle nineteen of those identified with drug problems, while another seventy remain on the waiting list. The number of inmates who are identified with chronic mental illness has increased and a request to house these individuals has been recommended. As in most prisons, the inmate population has continued to increase dramatically until the facility is now at 115 percent capacity. Inmate misconduct incidents have also accelerated, with misconduct reports heard by the Institution Disciplinary Committee tripling in the last four years. Inmates now receive a longer sentence but stay a shorter average time in confinement. The percent of Black women inmates in the facility has decreased from 43 to 27 percent, while conversely the percent of Hispanic women has risen from 1.3 to 6.7 percent. Vocational and educational programs are also experiencing change and restructuring. With the new required personalized plans and the opportunity to earn positive time, enrollment in college courses has increased from 27 to 43 percent. A live-in nursery program was developed in 1994 that allows mothers to keep their babies with them in the facility up to 18 months. The nursery program is unique for the Midwest, as only Nebraska and New York have such programs in the United States. Programs that continue to emphasize traditional roles for women have been retained. Nontraditional training, such as learning to become truck drivers, was dropped. Other educational and vocational training programs have been evaluated both formally and informally and either changed or eliminated.

Sex Matters

Male and female inmates have different profiles and needs, and adapt to prison in different ways. When policy is made and implemented, however, the male model of imprisonment sets the standard. This article argues that courts and prison administrators should consider the differences between men and women in prison, particularly in the context of cross-gender searches, which brings those differences to the fore. The case of Jordan v. Gardner, in which the court recognized women inmates' specific histories of abuse in evaluating the potential psychological harm of cross-gender searches, is presented as an exemplary use of a gender-specific standard. It is recommended that a gender-specific standard be used by both courts and prison administrators in order to measure more appropriately and accurately the impact of cross-gender searches on women inmates.

The Effectiveness of a Psychoeducational Group for HIV-Infected/Affected Incarcerated Women

Objective: The effectiveness of a psychoeducational group intervention for HIV/AIDS-infected and affected women was examined at a large southeastern county jail facility. Method: A quasiexperimental pretest-posttest design was used to examine depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms of women inmates. Results: A multivariate analysis of covariance yielded significant differences between the experimental and comparison groups. Subsequent analysis of covariance for each dependent variable indicated significant differences between groups as well. Effect sizes ranged from moderate to strong. Conclusions: The psychoeducational group intervention appeared to be effective in alleviating depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms among women inmates infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Women Inmates' Risky Sex and Drug Behaviors: Are They Related?

The large concentration of female illicit drug users in state correctional facilities prompted an examination of the associations among different types of drug use and sexual risk factors related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among women inmates. A consecutive sample of 805 women felons admitted to the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women between July 1991 and November 1992 was interviewed. Of these inmates, 651 had complete information on relevant characteristics. Of the women inmates, 73% had used drugs prior to incarceration; most women were crack smokers only (33%), followed by non–drug users (27%), other drug users (19%), crack-smoking injecting drug users (15%), and injecting drug users only (6%). Inconsistent condom use with multiple sex partners, a history of a diagnosed sexually transmitted disease (STD), a drug-injecting sex partner, or exchanging sex for money or drugs prior to incarceration were reported by 55% of the women. Sexual risk factors differed across different types of drug users, with crack-smoking injectors being placed at greatest potential risk for exposure to heterosexually transmitted HIV, followed by injecting drug users, crack smokers, and then other drug users. Given the differential associations between sexual risk factors and types of drug use, prison-based sexual-risk reduction strategies should be tailored to specific types of drug users. In times of limited resources, special attention should be given to crack smokers and/or drug injectors.

Reducing Recidivism for Women Inmates

ABSTRACT There has been a dramatic increase in the numbers of women incarcerated with a significant proportion of these women being identified as recidivists. Attention is turning toward the role that community transition plays in this revolving door syndrome. This paper identifies and critically reviews community transition treatment models in the fields of corrections, human services, and mental health for their usefulness in helping female inmates successfully reintegrate into their communities.

A Feminist Examination of Boot Camp Prison Programs for Women

Penal law in the United States reflects a strict moral ideology. This moral philosophy has dictated the laws that govern women and the punishments that they receive. Therefore, correctional programming for women has been focused on punishment and has not addressed the needs and problems of women inmates. Boot camp programs (shock incarceration), a low-cost, short-term alternative to traditional prison programming, are one example of such programming. Correctional boot camps teach discipline and responsibility by “breaking down and building up” inmates so that they will no longer commit crimes. However, the assumption that female offenders commit crimes because they are lacking in discipline and responsibility has not been substantiated by research. In addition, feminist therapy theory is not consistent with some boot camp practices. This paper will examine the social context of female criminality and the resulting implications for prison programming for women, and boot camp practices will be examined in the context of feminist therapy practices.

Women serving time for homicide in Mexico City

The article provides a brief summary of the results of a comparative study between men and women serving time for homicide in Mexico City, with a particular focus on women inmates. The study included a review of the records of 400 men convicted of homicide, which was 43 percent of those serving time in Mexico City prisons for such crimes. Our sample also included the 50 women prisoners in Mexico City convicted of homicide. We enjoyed full access to files regarding the prisoners and conducted in‐depth interviews with all of the women in an effort to reconstruct their life stories. We undertook this review in an effort to record the types of homicide most frequently committed by men and contrasted those with trends among the women prisoners. We also hoped to determine whether differences existed in the way the system of justice dealt with men and women. In both cases we uncovered relevant information that had not been dealt with in previous Mexican studies, such as the fact that in homicide cases in Mexico City women draw sentences that are 25 percent longer than that of their male counterparts.

Preincarceration Risky Behaviors among Women Inmates: Opportunities for Prevention

This study examined the associations between preincarceration risky sex and drug behaviors and HIV status among incarcerated women. A consecutive sample of 805 women felons admitted to the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women between July 1991 and November 1992 was interviewed. Of these women, 700 granted permission to access their prison medical records and had complete information on relevant variables. Four percent of the women inmates were HIV positive. Over 80% of the women inconsistently used condoms during intercourse, and over 15% injected drugs, had a drug-injecting sex partner, and exchanged sex for money/drugs. The exchange of sex for money/drugs was associated with being HIV positive. The study findings suggest that prison-based HIV prevention programs should emphasize sexual and drug risk-reduction strategies as a means to reduce the heterosexual HIV risks facing women inmates once released back into the general community.

Differential Perceptions of Women Inmates, Correctional Staff, and Correctional Officers Regarding Rehabilitation Program Modalities

ABSTRACT In comparing what correctional officers, correctional staff and women inmates identify as the most effective type of rehabilitative programs needed, there is sometimes a wide gap in their perceptions. This paper examines those differences as they apply to educational, behavior modification, and vocational programs in a women's prison in Nebraska. This study annotates how each ranked the importance of specific programs. A review of predictions by the U.S. Department of Labor compares the job market for the year 2005 with current inmate vocational programs. In conclusion, those programs that all three groups identified as being the most effective are listed. Data for this study were collected in June of 1994, through coordination with the Nebraska Department of Corrections and the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The purpose was initially designed to evaluate how women inmates at the Nebraska Center for Women (NCW) perceived their current educational, behavior modification, and vocational programs, and the levels of importance placed on each program. However, after the initial data was collected it was recognized that perceptions of the inmates might not necessarily reflect those of the correctional staff or correctional officers. Therefore, the study was enlarged to incorporate the views of the other two groups. The initial results, which covered only the perceptions of women inmates, were published in the Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, Volume 22, Numbers 3/4, 1995. A more detailed explanation of the survey instrument and results pertaining only to the women inmates are included there. The purpose of this paper is to acquaint the reader with a brief general background and to proceed on into the comparisons between the inmates, correctional staff and correctional officers.

Afro Images: Politics, Fashion, and Nostalgia

Not long ago, I attended a performance in San Francisco by women presently or formerly incarcerated in county jail in collaboration with Bay Area women performance artists. After show, I went backstage to green room, where women inmates, guarded by deputy sheriffs stationed outside door, were celebrating with their families and friends. Having worked with some of women at jail, I wanted to congratulate them on show. One woman introduced me to her brother who at first responded to my name with a blank stare. The woman admonished him: don't know who Davis is?! You should be ashamed. Suddenly a flicker of recognition flashed across his face. Oh, he said, Angela Davis-the Afro. Such responses I find are hardly exceptional, and it is both humiliating and humbling to discover that a single generation after events that constructed me as a public personality, I am remembered as a hairdo. It is humiliating because it reduces a politics of liberation to a politics of fashion; it is humbling because such encounters with younger generation demonstrate fragility and mutability of historical images, particularly those associated with African American history. This encounter with young man who identified me as the reminded me of a recent article in New York Times Magazine that listed me as one of fifty most influential fashion (read: hairstyle) trendsetters over last century.' I continue to find it ironic that popularity of Afro is

An Anger-Management Workshop for Women Inmates

Approximately one million persons are in prisons and jails across the United States. For 10 years, concern has been growing about the lack of mental health services provided to these inmates. In this article, the authors describe an anger-management workshop provided to a random sample of 11 medium-security women inmates at the Utah State Prison.

Women Will Be Women: Correctional Officers' Perceptions of the Emotionality of Women Inmates

Women Will Be Women: Correctional Officers' Perceptions of the Emotionality of Women Inmates

Women Prisoners' Multidimensional Locus of Control

Most studies investigating internal-external locus of control (LOC) in prison samples have found inmates to be externally oriented. On the whole, these studies have excluded women prison inmates. The present study investigated LOC in a sample of volunteers (n = 174) from randomly selected inmates at a state prison for women. Results on a multidimensional measure of LOC showed that: (a) education and income were significantly and positively related to the internal orientation and negatively related to the external orientation of LOC; (b) compared to minority women inmates, white women inmates were less likely to attribute events to chance; and (c) no significant relationship was found between LOC and length of imprisonment. Findings suggest that differences in LOC between men and women prison inmates are related to sex-specific adaptation to prison and differences in prison environs rather than to length of imprisonment.

The Effects On Women Inmates of Facilitation Training Provided Correctional Officers

The Effects On Women Inmates of Facilitation Training Provided Correctional Officers