Women behind bars: could neurobiological correlates of past physical and sexual abuse contribute to criminal behavior?

Trauma, especially physical and sexual abuse inflicted by others, is often part of the personal histories of female prison inmates. These traumatic events have also been associated with neuropsychiatric conditions commonly found in female inmate populations. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the literature and research findings about physical and sexual abuse perpetrated against female prison inmates predating their crimes, the neurobiological correlates, and related factors that could have contributed to criminal behaviors. This information is critical for abuse and crime prevention and rehabilitation of female victims who have become criminal offenders.