McNair's Scholars Program, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, Illinois 60625-4699, USA.
Soc Work Public Health. 2012;27(3):283-300. doi: 10.1080/19371918.2012.629875.
This research examines the need for programs that focus on mental health issues, parenting issues, and other unique needs of female offenders incarcerated throughout the United States. The Bureau of Justice Statistics showed that 84% of female offenders were living with their children prior to their arrest. This constitutes a crisis in our society today, which is manifest in overcrowded state and federal prisons, increased caseloads for the Department of Children and Family Services, the Foster Care System, and families of the offenders. The goal of this research is to determine what types of gender-responsive programs are effective in reducing recidivism. The methods used were qualitative data analysis, by comparing which programs are offered, either within the prison, or as a reentry postrelease program. A survey was used and interview data were analyzed by identifying and comparing common themes and patterns. The findings reveal the most effective gender-responsive programs are those that incorporate substance abuse treatment, education and job preparedness, parenting programs where contact with children is allowed and/or encouraged, and family reunification programs.
本研究探讨了在美国各地监禁的女性罪犯需要关注心理健康问题、育儿问题和其他特殊需求的项目。美国司法部统计局的数据显示，84%的女性罪犯在被捕前与子女同住。这构成了当今社会的一个危机，表现在州和联邦监狱过度拥挤、儿童和家庭服务部的案件增多、寄养系统以及罪犯的家庭。本研究的目的是确定哪些类型的性别响应计划可有效减少累犯。所用方法是定性数据分析，通过比较监狱内或出狱后重新融入社会的项目来确定。采用了问卷调查和访谈数据分析，通过确定和比较共同的主题和模式来进行分析。调查结果显示，最有效的性别响应计划是那些将药物滥用治疗、教育和就业准备、允许和/或鼓励与子女接触的育儿计划以及家庭团聚计划结合在一起的计划。
