Resources on Justice Involved Women - General
Responding to Women Offenders: The Department of Women's Justice Services in Cook County, Illinois
The development and implementation of the Cook County Sheriff's Department of Women's Justice Services (DWJS) is discussed. This bulletin is comprised of these sections: introduction; background; the decisionmaking process; decision point mapping example -- custody/release; creating the DWJS; gender-responsive innovations; meeting the healthcare needs of women offenders in Cook County; and challenges and accomplishments.
Ten Truths that Matter When Working with Justice Involved Women
“This document reviews ten truths about justice involved women-gleaned from the research over the last few decades -that must be recognized if we are to successfully manage this population, achieve greater reductions in recidivism, and improve public safety outcomes. It is our hope that by understanding these truths, criminal justice policymakers and practitioners will be more aware of gender differences and take steps to enhance their approaches to managing justice involved women” (p. iii). Some of these truths are: women...
Women in Detention: A Guide to Gender-Sensitive Monitoring
For those seeking current insights into gender-responsive issues and professionals working with female offenders, this report is essential reading. It delineates the risks confronting women deprived of liberty, emphasizing the threat of torture and ill-treatment, alongside preventive measures. While focusing primarily on women in the criminal justice system, its discussions extend to other contexts like psychiatric institutions and immigration detention facilities. Sections cover gender-specific treatment introduction, the importance of monitoring bodies in addressing these issues, key concepts such as gender...
NIC Services in Managing Justice-Involved Women
While the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) is being used by more and more correctional systems, EBP tend to primarily address the needs of men. Issues specific to females are often overlooked. This void can be filled with gender-specific programming and services. The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is a great resource for information about gender-responsive topics. This article provides a glimpse at the various things NIC offers. Some of these assets are technical assistance, training programs, the Gender-Responsive Bulletin...
Responding to the Needs of Women Veterans Involved in the Criminal Justice System
"As criminal justice practitioners, we need to understand that the issues facing women veterans in the justice system may be complex as a result of untreated trauma, mental illness, and substance abuse, and their unique military experiences. We must better prepare ourselves to respond. This document highlights the unique experiences and needs of women veterans who become justice-involved and offers a gender and trauma informed approach that criminal justice practitioners can use to more effectively manage this population" (p. 2)...
Access to Transportation and Outcomes for Women on Probation and Parole
"The current study focuses attention on a previously understudied topic - transportation deprivation in women offenders. This is a timely and important endeavor given the scale of mass incarceration, number of women on probation and parole, and the numerous barriers women with a criminal record face" (p. ii). Chapters cover: introduction-problem statement and study significance; review of the literature-women offenders' pathways to crime, risk assessment tools for women offenders, agency and structure, and study purpose, goals, and objectives; research methodology...
Meeting the Needs of Women in California's County Justice Systems: A Toolkit for Policymakers and Practitioners
"Because fewer women are convicted of crimes and incarcerated compared to men, they can be overlooked for what may be ideal approaches to reduce crime and recidivism ... The toolkit provides suggestions for innovative and focused interventions targeting the special risks and needs of women in the justice system. It provides an overview of risk and needs assessments, case management approaches, principles, strategies and programs that take into account the needs of women (gender-responsive). There are recommendations for creating community-based...
Crime, Violence & Victimization Research Division's Compendium of Research on Violence Against Women, 1993-2014
"For over forty years, NIJ has invested in research on violence against women. This research touches on a wide variety of public safety concerns, including intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, as well as criminal justice challenges, including the availability of legal and victim support services, the effectiveness of prevention programs, and the impact of such crimes over time. To give researchers and support providers easier centralized access to recent evidence-based findings, NIJ annually updates...
Critical Issues Impacting Women in the Justice System: A Literature Review
“In the following, we review the literature relevant to the study of violence and safety in women’s prison. We begin with the demographic and background characteristics of female offenders. The pathways model is then described, which emphasizes the life experiences of women that contribute to criminal behavior. This review will then describe the subcultural elements of women’s prisons that influence vulnerabilities, victimization, and violence. The types and prevalence of violence in women’s prisons, particularly sexual assault, are also summarized. A...