Women prisoners and correctional programs
2001; Issue: 194 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
1836-2206
Autores Tópico(s)Child Abuse and Trauma
ResumoThis paper discusses trends in the incarceration of women and intervention programs available to women in prison. The data demonstrate that incarceration rates for women have been increasing over the last decade and that women are often imprisoned for property, violence and drug offences. Correctional facilities in Australia, in common with many other jurisdictions, administer programs that address offending behaviour. Such programs, especially those dealing with behavioural and drug issues, are vital if prisons are to reduce recidivism. Currently, there is considerable interest and creativity in the design and delivery of interventions for prisoners with drug abuse problems. However, although women are often unemployed at the time of incarceration and tend to be poorly educated, comparatively little attention is paid to employment and education programs. Engagement in education and employment are important for reducing recidivism. This paper examines drug intervention programs and employment and education programs for women and finds that they are often delivered without consideration of their effectiveness. Adam Graycar Director In any examination of women prisoners, the first point to note is that they constitute a small percentage of the total number of people incarcerated in Australia. In 1999, women constituted only about six per cent of the sentenced prison population.1 Although few, the number of incarcerated women has been steadily increasing. Table 1 shows the increase in the number of sentenced women incarcerated in the 1990s. In 1991, 607 women were incarcerated. In 1999 this had almost doubled to 1,124 (an 85 per cent increase).2 In 1991, 9.2 women per 100,000 were imprisoned compared with 15.3 per 100,000 in 1999. As a rate per 100,000 of the population, the increase is about 66 per cent. The incarceration of women has occurred at a faster rate than it has for men. The population of sentenced men incarcerated has increased from 12,429 in 1991 to 17,208 in 1999. This constitutes an increase of about 38 per cent. The men's rate per 100,000 has increased from 194 to 240.5 (a 24 per cent increase). The increase in the imprisonment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) sentenced women has been much greater over the period compared with other women. Non- ATSI women have increased in population from 503 in 1991 to 851 in 1999, representing a 60 per cent increase. The rate has increased over this period from 7.8 to 11.8 per 100,000, representing about a 50 per cent increase. In comparison, and it should be kept in mind that the number is very low, the number of ATSI women incarcerated has increased from 104 in 1991 to 273 in 1999, an increase of 150 per cent.6 The rate per 100,000 has doubled, from 103.9 per 100,000 to 206.5 per 100,000, and is now close to the rate for all men. Table 2 examines the distribution of sentenced women imprisoned by Australian States and the levels of previous imprisonment. The numbers of women range from 17 (two of whom are ATSI) held in Tasmania, to 466 (86 of whom are ATSI) held in New South Wales prisons. In Western Australia and the Northern Territory, ATSI women constitute half and twothirds, respectively, of the sentenced women. Previous imprisonment rates are an indication of recidivism, although offenders may re-enter prison for reasons unrelated to a prior offence. Nevertheless, the figures are important as they may indicate prisons' achievements in rehabilitating offenders. About 45 per cent of all women prisoners, and about 70 per cent of ATSI women prisoners, have been incarcerated previously. There appears to be room to focus on the women prisoners' offending and background with a view to effective interventions. The major categories under which men and women are incarcerated are violent, property and drug offences. Violent offences include homicide, assault, sexual offences and robbery. Property offences include breaking, entering and stealing, fraud and misappropriation, and receiving stolen goods. …
Referência(s)