About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

67 Fed. Probation 46 (2003)
Identifying the Special Needs of Female Offenders

handle is hein.journals/fedpro67 and id is 48 raw text is: 46 FEDERAL PROBATION I Idniyn th Speia Needs S Femal afedr Robert A. Shearer, Ph.D. Sam Houston State University RESEARCH AND PRACTICE suggest that female offenders have special needs not typically addressed by programs designed for male offenders. The focus on these special needs has been amplified by an increase in the number of female offenders. Even though the total number of female offenders is sig- nificantly smaller than that of males, the star- tling increase in female offenders has prompted the suggestion that programs need to be gender specific. However, this dramatic increase in female offenders does not coin- cide with an equivalent increase in female prison facilities or rehabilitation/treatment programs geared toward the needs of female offenders. On the other hand, the National Institute of Corrections produced a directory of community-based programs for women offenders that included 250 programs in 32 states (Harding & Clem, 2000). This may in- dicate some progress is being made in pro- gram development in community corrections. Miller (2002) indicates there is still a nationwide shortage of substance abuse facilities for women with young children. In addition, about 25 percent of all pregnant women in substance abuse treatment are re- ferred by the criminal justice system (The DASIS Report, 2002). The correctional system has historically been male-dominated. Not only are the struc- ture of prison settings, the rules, the operat- ing procedures, and the treatment programs largely based on the needs of males, but re- search studying the effectiveness of programs is also based on male subjects. Correctional systems frequently can assign male inmates to programs based on the individual rehabili- tative or treatment needs of the offender, the severity of the crime the offender committed, and/or the security risk of the offender (Clem- ent, 1997). Female offenders are not afforded these same considerations. Prison facilities that house female offenders are few in number. Most states within the U.S. maintain only one facility to house female inmates (Clement, 1997). Thus, most female offenders are not assigned to facilities based on their individual rehabilitative or treatment needs, or on issues of security or the severity of the offence com- mitted, but on the sole basis of gender. This is true, even though female offenders who abuse drugs are the fastest growing segment of the criminal justice system (Wellisch, Prendergast, & Anglin, 1994). Treatment Needs of Female Offenders Many correctional treatment programs do not assess the multiple problems of substance abusing female offenders (Covington, 2000; Peugh & Belenko, 1999). Female offenders with substance abuse problems are often placed in treatment programs that are based on male needs. However, the needs of female substance abusers differ greatly from those of their male counterparts (Peugh & Belenko, 1999). It is important that the needs of indi- viduals with substance abuse problems be addressed in gender-appropriate ways (Peugh & Belenko, 1999). Both male and female substance abusers experience compounding mental health problems (Alexander, Craig, MacDonald, & Haugland, 1994; Helzer & Pryzbeck, 1988; McCarty, Argeriou, Huebner, & Lubran, 1991; Regier, Farmer, Rae, Locke, Keith, Judd, & Goodwin, 1990; Teplin, Abram, & McClelland, 1996; Wilcox & Yates, 1993). However, female substance abusers experi- ence different types of mental health prob- lems than do males. Females in correctional facilities have a history of experiencing physi- cal, sexual and psychological abuse at higher rates than males (Cosden & Cortez-Ison, 1998; Gomberth & Hirenberg, 1993; Wellisch, Anglin, & Prendergast, 1993; Institute of Medicine, 1990). They also are more likely than men to use drugs and alcohol as a cop- ing mechanism for traumatic events and stress (Peugh & Belenko, 1999; Falkin, Wellisch, Prendergast, Killian, Hawke, Natarajan, Kowalewski, & Owens, 1994; Griffin, Weiss, Mirin, & Lang, 1989; Hser, Anglin & Booth, 1987; McClellan, Farabee, & Crouch, 1997). The differences in the mental health problems of males and females, and the circumstances that precipitate drug and alcohol use need to be confronted in substance abuse treatment using different interventions and auxiliary services. Hartel (1994) discussed that women who are intravenous drug users are more likely than male injection drug users (IDUs) to en- gage in high-risk sex with multiple partners, to exchange sex for money or drugs, to share needles, and to engage in unprotected sex with other IDUs. These behaviors lead to an in- creased risk of contracting a sexually trans- mitted disease (STD). Untreated STDs in women are likely to lead to serious health complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical cancer, and infertility. Fur- thermore, untreated STDs are associated with increased rates of HIV transmission (Eng & Butler, 1996; McCoy, Miles & Inciardi, 1995).

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most