"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 options for women and 10 key steps for working toward sustainable reductions in the number of women in county jails and the creation of gender-responsive community justice systems" (p. 1).
Sections included in this report are:
- introduction;
- historical criminal justice and public health reforms bring new opportunities, funding crucial components;
- principles and six strategies for effective planning, policies, and practices;
- best practices and programs for eight topical areas;
- key steps to a gender-responsive community justice system;
- and conclusion.