Women and Corrections: A Model Women and Corrections: A Model ProgramProgram

ByBy

Vanessa Alleyne,PhDVanessa Alleyne,PhD

Statement of the ProblemStatement of the Problem

In one of the most significant social In one of the most significant social phenomena of our time, the number of phenomena of our time, the number of incarcerated women in the United States incarcerated women in the United States has nearly quadrupled since 1985, and has nearly quadrupled since 1985, and shows few signs of abating in the present. shows few signs of abating in the present.

In one year (2004-2005), the number of In one year (2004-2005), the number of female jail inmates rose 8%, while male female jail inmates rose 8%, while male inmates rose 4.3% (Harrison & Beck, inmates rose 4.3% (Harrison & Beck, 2006). 2006).

Why?Why?

Significant changes in sentencing law, Significant changes in sentencing law, policing strategies, drug and mental health policing strategies, drug and mental health treatment, and other factors have treatment, and other factors have contributed to this phenomenal growth, contributed to this phenomenal growth, placing a new strain on criminal justice placing a new strain on criminal justice systems which are historically and largely systems which are historically and largely designed for, and by, men. designed for, and by, men.

JailsJails The number of female inmates in our nation’s The number of female inmates in our nation’s

jails is increasing as well. Between 1995 and jails is increasing as well. Between 1995 and 2002, the number of women inmates doubled 2002, the number of women inmates doubled and, consistent with other jails in the country, and, consistent with other jails in the country, the Bergen County Jail is also experiencing the the Bergen County Jail is also experiencing the impact of this quantum leap. impact of this quantum leap.

Women are incarcerated more often, held for Women are incarcerated more often, held for longer periods while awaiting a bed in state longer periods while awaiting a bed in state prison or drug treatment, and experience prison or drug treatment, and experience higher rates of recidivism due to untreated higher rates of recidivism due to untreated addiction and mental health concerns than their addiction and mental health concerns than their male counterparts.male counterparts.

Prior work in the jail taught us the Prior work in the jail taught us the following: following:

Female inmates have needs (medical, emotional, mental, and Female inmates have needs (medical, emotional, mental, and social) that are significantly different than those of men; social) that are significantly different than those of men;

Many women enter the criminal justice system with unaddressed Many women enter the criminal justice system with unaddressed substance abuse and mental health concerns, leading to longer substance abuse and mental health concerns, leading to longer stays in jail and greater disruption in the housing unit during their stays in jail and greater disruption in the housing unit during their incarceration;incarceration;

The legal system often refers women to residential substance The legal system often refers women to residential substance abuse treatment, which has few available spaces (two reputable abuse treatment, which has few available spaces (two reputable programs exist in the area); programs exist in the area);

Corrections and other jail staff feel ill-equipped to address the Corrections and other jail staff feel ill-equipped to address the needs of female inmates;needs of female inmates;

Services to address the women’s unique concerns appear to be in Services to address the women’s unique concerns appear to be in need of expansion.need of expansion.  

The StudyThe Study

Research QuestionsResearch Questions:: What are the mental health, substance What are the mental health, substance

use, and psychosocial needs of use, and psychosocial needs of incarcerated women at the Bergen County incarcerated women at the Bergen County Jail?Jail?

What services are needed to address What services are needed to address these concerns?these concerns?

ProceduresProcedures n=250n=250

Newly admitted women were interviewed;Newly admitted women were interviewed;

Measures used:Measures used:

Positive and Negative Affect States (PANAS)Positive and Negative Affect States (PANAS)Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)Levenson Self Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP)Levenson Self Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP)Resiliency Scale for Adults (RSA)Resiliency Scale for Adults (RSA)Addiction Severity Index (ASI)Addiction Severity Index (ASI)

Data collected was compared to Data collected was compared to National Reports on female offenders:National Reports on female offenders:

The National Crime Information Center’s report on The National Crime Information Center’s report on Gender-Responsive Strategies for Women Offenders – Gender-Responsive Strategies for Women Offenders – Jail Applications (McCampbell, 2005);Jail Applications (McCampbell, 2005);

The Bureau of Justice Statistics’ Special Report on The Bureau of Justice Statistics’ Special Report on Women Offenders (Greenfield & Snell, 1999);Women Offenders (Greenfield & Snell, 1999);

The Bureau of Justice Statistics’ Report on Substance The Bureau of Justice Statistics’ Report on Substance Dependence, Abuse, and Treatment of Jail Inmates Dependence, Abuse, and Treatment of Jail Inmates (Karberg & James, 2002).(Karberg & James, 2002).

ResultsResults

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Bergen County Jail 1999 Report

Racial/Ethnic Group

Table 1

Racial/Ethnic GroupAs indicated by the ASI (n = 250)

African American

White

Latina

Asian/Other/Biracial

ResultsResults

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Per

cen

tag

e

Bergen County Jail 1999 Repo rt

Level

Table 2

Educational Attainment

Bergen County and National Jail Females

8th Grade or Less

Some High School

High School Graduate/GED

Some College or More

ResultsResults

0

50

100

150

200

250

300A

ve

rag

e D

olla

r A

mo

un

t

Funding Source

Table 3

Funding Sources and Average Monthly Income

As indicated by the ASI (n = 250 )

Employment

Under the Table/Illegal

Mate/Family Friends

Pension/Social Security

Public Assistance

Unemployment

ResultsResults

0

20

40

60

Per

cent

age

Bergen County Ja il 1999 Report

Status

Table 4

Marital StatusAs indicated on the ASI (n = 250)

Separated

Never Married

Divorced

Married

Widowed

ResultsResults

0

10

20

30

40

50

Per

cen

tag

e

Constellation

Table 5

Household ConstellationAs indicated on the ASI (n= 250)

With Children Alone

With Partner Alone

With Family

With Partner andChildrenWith Parents

With Friends

Alone

No Stable Arrangement

Controlled Environment

ResultsResults

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Per

cent

age

Recognized Need

Table 7

Recognized Need for Mental Health ServicesAs indicated on the ASI ( N = 250)

Slight/Moderate

Not At All

Considerable/Extreme

RecommendationsRecommendations

Substance Abuse TreatmentSubstance Abuse Treatment::

a) Develop an in-house alcohol and drug treatment a) Develop an in-house alcohol and drug treatment program for female inmates using an evidence-program for female inmates using an evidence-based treatment model.based treatment model.

b) Educate the female population about available b) Educate the female population about available alcohol and drug treatment options and provide alcohol and drug treatment options and provide active assistance to access themactive assistance to access them. .

RecommendationsRecommendations

Staff Training:Staff Training: Provide correctional staff with the knowledge and Provide correctional staff with the knowledge and

skills to work more effectively with women skills to work more effectively with women offenders.offenders.

Address Physical & Mental Health NeedsAddress Physical & Mental Health Needs: : Assign in-house behavioral health specialists and Assign in-house behavioral health specialists and

medical personnel to specifically address the needs medical personnel to specifically address the needs of female inmates.of female inmates.

RecommendationsRecommendations

Family & Social Support:Family & Social Support:a)a) Increase opportunities for family visitation with an Increase opportunities for family visitation with an

emphasis on increasing the abilityemphasis on increasing the ability..

b)b) Establish formal linkages with community organizations to Establish formal linkages with community organizations to provide ongoing and in-depth services for women. A provide ongoing and in-depth services for women. A sample of agencies for consideration is as follows: sample of agencies for consideration is as follows:

c)c) Provide case-management services for women prior to Provide case-management services for women prior to release from jail in order to establish linkages and access release from jail in order to establish linkages and access community resourcescommunity resources