University of Cincinnati. Center for Criminal Justice Research (Cincinnati OH)
Findings from a telephone assessment of state and federal practices for classifying women offenders are presented. In addition to an executive summary, this report has the following chapters:
- Introduction;
- Issues in classifying women offenders -- the literature;
- Approach;
- Findings;
- And discussion.
Most states still apply a male-based classification system to women.
The development of improved strategies for classifying female offenders is addressed. Sections of this report include:
- Issues in classifying women offenders -- the literature review;
- National assessment of current female offender classification practices;
- Focus groups with corrections professionals and women offenders;
- Directions for technical assistance (TA);
- TA -- Hawaii Department of Public Safety;
- TA -- Nebraska Department of Correctional Services;
- TA -- Colorado Department of Corrections;
- And lessons learned -- female offenders can be classified using instruments currently utilized with some adjustments, measures of offender needs offer substantial contributions to the validity of a custody classification system, precise definitions and accurate measurement are important considerations, the cooperative agreement reduced over-classification but did not nullify it, and over-classification is not only found in the classification system.
An overview of the work done by collaborative partnerships to design and validate gender-responsive risk and needs assessments for female offenders is provided. This article discusses issues surrounding female offender classification and the current National Institute of Corrections (NIC) study regarding gender-responsive approaches to risk and needs assessment.
A report which highlights the results of two cooperative agreements from the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) addressing the critical need for gender-specific objective classification systems is presented. Following an executive summary are six chapters: introduction; classification issues for women offenders--the literature; NIC Prisons Division--women's classification initiatives (e.g., National Assessment of Current Practices for Classifying Women Offenders and Working With Correctional Agencies to Improve Classification for Women Offenders); building blocks to effective classification of women offenders; addressing classification issues that require systemic change; and future steps. This report also has two appendixes: descriptions of seven states women's classification initiatives (Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Nebraska, West Virginia, and Wisconsin); and sample initial and reclassification instruments developed by Colorado and Idaho.
