Incarcerated Women In Prison Research Paper
“The female prison population in the United States continues to grow at an alarming rate. Specifically, from 2000 through 2009, the number of women incarcerated in state or federal prisons rose by 21.6 percent, compared to just a 15.6 percent increase for men” (Ajinkya. 2013. Pg. 1). While most prisons have almost triple the amount of males then they do females, the rising numbers of women being incarcerated causes major problems not just for the women themselves but also for their families and the people that count on them the most. With every female that gets incarcerated comes new issues that correctional facilities have to provide answers for. This paper will discuss not only why women need some of
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the same but also more resources than incarcerated men, but also what other resources are needed, as well as what risks incarcerated women face. According to Women’s Health Care Physicians from the College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2012) “Incarcerated women and adolescent females often come from disadvantaged environments and have high rates of chronic illness, substance abuse, and undetected health problems. Most of these females are of reproductive age and are at high risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV” (Women’s Heath Care Physicians. 2012. Pg. 1). What comes with more inmates whether male or female is over population, when over population occurs more inmates are put in the small jail cells, which leads to more tension and dangerous situations for everyone.
“Women 's personal experiences and the positions they have held in society prior to entering corrections impact the health issues they deal with, and thus the health issues the corrections system must address” (Hannaher. 2007. Pg. 166). Family background plays a huge role in the incarceration of women, not only can it affect them negatively it could also have a positive affect (Hannaher. 2007). When it comes to women not only do prisons have to worry about their physical health, prisons may have to worry more about their emotional health. This is where family background comes into play, years before a women is in trouble with the law if she has family members that are incarcerated this may lead to criminal activity. If the family member is their only guardian this will take a huge toll on them emotionally because now they may have to live with another family member or in worse cases be put into the system. Emotionally on a woman this could affect them for years and could potentially lead them to a life of rebellion and criminal activity. When incarcerated these are the women that need attention the most, not only are they emotionally unstable, they pose a threat to others and may even hurt themselves (Hannaher. 2007). According to an article written by Kate Hannaher in Hamline Journal Of Public Law & Policy, (2007) “Fewer women than men are incarcerated because of propensities to, and acts of, violence. The majority of women offenders are arrested for nonviolent drug and property crimes” (Hannaher. 2007. Pg. 169).
The majority of incarcerated women come from little to no education as well as poverty-stricken homes; this leads to very little medical care that causes problems in the long run (Hannaher. 2007). When a person who has had little to non existent health care becomes incarcerated this may put pressure on the prisons because now when they have screenings the prison health care officials may find diseases or problems that may have been undetected. As many women are incarcerated for less serious offenses then men, like prostitution and drug use HIV and sexually transmitted diseases become more of a worry for prison health care advisors. Without specific treatment for these diseases it poses a serious health risk for the well being of the incarcerated woman as well as the population of the jail as a whole (Hannaher. 2007). With the incarceration of women rising constantly without the resources to help cure or diagnose these problems there may be more and more illnesses or deaths spreading throughout prisons in the United States involved. When it comes down to it all prisoners whether male or female have specific needs, every prisoner is permitted medical care no matter how severe their situation is (International Committee of the Red Cross. 2009). Women and men have different body anatomies, therefore women need different health care resources then men, specifically regarding their reproductive system and age. “The needs of a young girl, a pregnant woman, a woman who has just given birth, a mother accompanied by young children or an elderly woman are all different” (International Committee of the Red Cross. 2009. Pg. 1). When a woman that is old enough to have a child is incarcerated the first thing that must be assessed is whether or not they are pregnant (Women’s Health Care Physicians. 2012.). An incarcerated woman who is pregnant needs constant almost everyday care; automatically this puts an increase on resources needed in prisons. When just males held the majority of the population in prisons all they needed was soap and water, some daily meals and doctor check ups every so often. When women get put in the picture you have to think about all other resources that women need (Women’s Health Care Physicians. 2012.). “The women in the criminal justice system are among the most vulnerable in our society. Pregnancies among incarcerated women are often unplanned and high-risk and are compromised by a lack of prenatal care, poor nutrition, domestic violence, mental illness, and drug and alcohol abuse” (Women’s Health Care Physicians. 2011. Pg. 1). An incarcerated pregnant woman that wants to go through with her pregnancy must have the appropriate doctors and medical care given to her (Women’s Health Care Physicians. 2011). This includes regular scheduled check ups for her and the baby during pregnancy as well as after the baby is delivered. Not only do incarcerated pregnant women need full care, they also have to be careful of what they eat, as well as extra curricular activity, all of which need to be provided for her by the prison. The incarcerated will be given a special diet as well as be excluded from work that is given while serving your time in prison (Women’s Health Care Physicians. 2011). According to a report written in the Institute on Women & Criminal Justice (2009) “The overwhelming majority of children born to incarcerated mothers are separated from their mothers immediately after birth and placed with relatives or into foster care. In a handful of states, women have other options: prison nurseries and community-based residential parenting programs” (Villanueva. 2009. Pg. 4). When new mothers regardless of jail or not, are separated from their newborn child this creates more of a problem than good. The new mother who just gave birth will now go into a state of depression because they have to be separated from their child for the remainder of their prison term.
Although nursery prisons are rare they are starting to become more popular, but yet again this is another resource that needs to be provided for incarcerated women. In an article written on HLNTV.com (2013) Kisa Santiago states “Razor wire-wrapped fences and imposing-looking guard towers surround the sprawling grounds of the state’s only women’s maximum security prison. Inside its walls, you will find murderers, drug dealers… and babies”(Santiago. 2013. Pg. 1). Bedford Hills Correctional Facility is based in New York; this is the prison Santiago refers to in the article. The women in this prison are allowed to keep their child with them while they serve out their term due to a new program provided by the prison (Santiago. 2013). They do not just let any incarcerated woman in this facility there are certain requirements you must meet in order to be allowed to keep your newborn with you in prison. The newborns are only allowed to stay until there first birthday, the mother and child stay in different sections of the prison and are required to attend parenting classes while in prison. Strict rules are enforced and must be followed in order to keep your child with you for that time period, the incarcerated woman disobeys those rules their child will be taken from them and they will lose all privileges (Santiago. 2013).
This is just another resource incarcerated women need that men do not, these however are big things there are little things that play a factor too. Not only do women have babies which creates more resources to be needed and people to be hired, people often forget the smaller things like feminine hygiene products. In an article written by Maya Schenwar in Ms. Magazine (2010) she states, “since the advent of the recession, budget cuts at prisons often hit women-specific services first, and “fringe” benefits like feminine hygiene products are some of the first to go” (Schenwar. 2010. Pg. 1). This limits incarcerated women to buy items from the commissary, and they sometimes are out of the hygiene products needed (Schenwar. 2010). What this causes is an inmate who may have already spent their money at the commissary and ran out of their free products to be smelly and unsanitary. Prisons should be required to maintain a certain level of cleanliness within their gates and with the shortage of these products not only do they violate that right, they create a more hostile and dangerous environment (Schenwar. 2010).
For incarcerated women transitioning back into the real world can be extremely difficult, because adapting to the prison life was so hard sometimes getting back out into the real world is even worse.
“Women offenders with substance use problems face many challenges when returning to the community after prison release—including obtaining employment, reuniting with children and family, and coping with pressures to return to drug use” (Whitten. 2013. Pg.1). For this reason several states including California are coming up with after prison treatment plans to help women ease their way back into the real world (Whitten. 2013). The program includes drug rehabilitation, family therapy as well as individual therapy, and health related services. Just these programs alone will help former incarcerated women to reconnect with their children and families and not end up back in prison. Although there are resources like these provided to help former incarcerated men get back on their feet, it is not as necessary for them as it is for women. (Whitten. …show more content…
2013).
Incarcerated women require many more resources than incarcerated men; just the simple fact that they are much more emotionally unstable is a huge factor. It is time to start realizing women require more necessities and comfort then men and get them the resources they need.
References:
Ajinkya, Julie. (2013, 8 March). Rethinking How to Address the Growing Female Prison Population. Center for American Progress. Retrieved from: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/women/news/2013/03/08/55787/rethinking-how-to-address-the-growing-female-prison-population/
Hannaher, Kate. (2007). Caring for Invisible Patients: Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare for Incarcerated Women. Hamline Journal Of Public Law & Policy, 29(1), 161-209. Retrieved from: https://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=9&sid=e54374e1-35bc-4498-a8ab-3edc9dedc1b7%40sessionmgr4004&hid=4204&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=31550537
International Committee of the Red Cross. (2009, 27 Feb.). Health in Prisons: Looking after a women in a men’s world. Resource Center. Retrieved from: http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/interview/women-health-prison-interview-020309.htm
Santiago, Kisa. (2013, 03. June). Babies Behind Bars: Motherly Love or abuse? HLNTV. Retrieved from: http://www.hlntv.com/article/2013/05/10/prison-nursery
Schenwar, Maya.
(2010, 12. April). In Prison, Toilet Paper is the New Tampon. Ms. Magazine. Retrieved from: http://msmagazine.com/blog/2010/04/12/in-prison-toilet-paper-is-the-new-tampon/
Villanueva, Chandra. (2009, May). Mothers, Infants and Imprisonment. Institute on Women & Criminal Justice. Retrieved from: http://www.wpaonline.org/pdf/Mothers%20Infants%20and%20Imprisonment%202009.pdf
Whitten, Lori. (2013, 19 Sept.). Post-Prison Treatment Reduces Recidivism Among Women With Substance Use Problems. Corrections.com. Retrieved from: http://www.corrections.com/articles/33876
Women’s Health Care Physicians. (2012. August). Reproductive Health Care for Incarcerated Women and Adolescent Females. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Retrieved from: https://www.acog.org/~/media/Committee%20Opinions/Committee%20on%20Health%20Care%20for%20Underserved%20Women/co535.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20140128T1543050312
Women’s Health Care Physicians. (2011. Novemeber). Health Care for Pregnant and Postpartum Incarcerated Women and Adolescent Females. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Retrieved from:
http://www.acog.org/Resources_And_Publications/Committee_Opinions/Committee_on_Health_Care_for_Underserved_Women/Health_Care_for_Pregnant_and_Postpartum_Incarcerated_Women_and_Adolescent_Females
the same but also more resources than incarcerated men, but also what other resources are needed, as well as what risks incarcerated women face. According to Women’s Health Care Physicians from the College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2012) “Incarcerated women and adolescent females often come from disadvantaged environments and have high rates of chronic illness, substance abuse, and undetected health problems. Most of these females are of reproductive age and are at high risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV” (Women’s Heath Care Physicians. 2012. Pg. 1). What comes with more inmates whether male or female is over population, when over population occurs more inmates are put in the small jail cells, which leads to more tension and dangerous situations for everyone.
“Women 's personal experiences and the positions they have held in society prior to entering corrections impact the health issues they deal with, and thus the health issues the corrections system must address” (Hannaher. 2007. Pg. 166). Family background plays a huge role in the incarceration of women, not only can it affect them negatively it could also have a positive affect (Hannaher. 2007). When it comes to women not only do prisons have to worry about their physical health, prisons may have to worry more about their emotional health. This is where family background comes into play, years before a women is in trouble with the law if she has family members that are incarcerated this may lead to criminal activity. If the family member is their only guardian this will take a huge toll on them emotionally because now they may have to live with another family member or in worse cases be put into the system. Emotionally on a woman this could affect them for years and could potentially lead them to a life of rebellion and criminal activity. When incarcerated these are the women that need attention the most, not only are they emotionally unstable, they pose a threat to others and may even hurt themselves (Hannaher. 2007). According to an article written by Kate Hannaher in Hamline Journal Of Public Law & Policy, (2007) “Fewer women than men are incarcerated because of propensities to, and acts of, violence. The majority of women offenders are arrested for nonviolent drug and property crimes” (Hannaher. 2007. Pg. 169).
The majority of incarcerated women come from little to no education as well as poverty-stricken homes; this leads to very little medical care that causes problems in the long run (Hannaher. 2007). When a person who has had little to non existent health care becomes incarcerated this may put pressure on the prisons because now when they have screenings the prison health care officials may find diseases or problems that may have been undetected. As many women are incarcerated for less serious offenses then men, like prostitution and drug use HIV and sexually transmitted diseases become more of a worry for prison health care advisors. Without specific treatment for these diseases it poses a serious health risk for the well being of the incarcerated woman as well as the population of the jail as a whole (Hannaher. 2007). With the incarceration of women rising constantly without the resources to help cure or diagnose these problems there may be more and more illnesses or deaths spreading throughout prisons in the United States involved. When it comes down to it all prisoners whether male or female have specific needs, every prisoner is permitted medical care no matter how severe their situation is (International Committee of the Red Cross. 2009). Women and men have different body anatomies, therefore women need different health care resources then men, specifically regarding their reproductive system and age. “The needs of a young girl, a pregnant woman, a woman who has just given birth, a mother accompanied by young children or an elderly woman are all different” (International Committee of the Red Cross. 2009. Pg. 1). When a woman that is old enough to have a child is incarcerated the first thing that must be assessed is whether or not they are pregnant (Women’s Health Care Physicians. 2012.). An incarcerated woman who is pregnant needs constant almost everyday care; automatically this puts an increase on resources needed in prisons. When just males held the majority of the population in prisons all they needed was soap and water, some daily meals and doctor check ups every so often. When women get put in the picture you have to think about all other resources that women need (Women’s Health Care Physicians. 2012.). “The women in the criminal justice system are among the most vulnerable in our society. Pregnancies among incarcerated women are often unplanned and high-risk and are compromised by a lack of prenatal care, poor nutrition, domestic violence, mental illness, and drug and alcohol abuse” (Women’s Health Care Physicians. 2011. Pg. 1). An incarcerated pregnant woman that wants to go through with her pregnancy must have the appropriate doctors and medical care given to her (Women’s Health Care Physicians. 2011). This includes regular scheduled check ups for her and the baby during pregnancy as well as after the baby is delivered. Not only do incarcerated pregnant women need full care, they also have to be careful of what they eat, as well as extra curricular activity, all of which need to be provided for her by the prison. The incarcerated will be given a special diet as well as be excluded from work that is given while serving your time in prison (Women’s Health Care Physicians. 2011). According to a report written in the Institute on Women & Criminal Justice (2009) “The overwhelming majority of children born to incarcerated mothers are separated from their mothers immediately after birth and placed with relatives or into foster care. In a handful of states, women have other options: prison nurseries and community-based residential parenting programs” (Villanueva. 2009. Pg. 4). When new mothers regardless of jail or not, are separated from their newborn child this creates more of a problem than good. The new mother who just gave birth will now go into a state of depression because they have to be separated from their child for the remainder of their prison term.
Although nursery prisons are rare they are starting to become more popular, but yet again this is another resource that needs to be provided for incarcerated women. In an article written on HLNTV.com (2013) Kisa Santiago states “Razor wire-wrapped fences and imposing-looking guard towers surround the sprawling grounds of the state’s only women’s maximum security prison. Inside its walls, you will find murderers, drug dealers… and babies”(Santiago. 2013. Pg. 1). Bedford Hills Correctional Facility is based in New York; this is the prison Santiago refers to in the article. The women in this prison are allowed to keep their child with them while they serve out their term due to a new program provided by the prison (Santiago. 2013). They do not just let any incarcerated woman in this facility there are certain requirements you must meet in order to be allowed to keep your newborn with you in prison. The newborns are only allowed to stay until there first birthday, the mother and child stay in different sections of the prison and are required to attend parenting classes while in prison. Strict rules are enforced and must be followed in order to keep your child with you for that time period, the incarcerated woman disobeys those rules their child will be taken from them and they will lose all privileges (Santiago. 2013).
This is just another resource incarcerated women need that men do not, these however are big things there are little things that play a factor too. Not only do women have babies which creates more resources to be needed and people to be hired, people often forget the smaller things like feminine hygiene products. In an article written by Maya Schenwar in Ms. Magazine (2010) she states, “since the advent of the recession, budget cuts at prisons often hit women-specific services first, and “fringe” benefits like feminine hygiene products are some of the first to go” (Schenwar. 2010. Pg. 1). This limits incarcerated women to buy items from the commissary, and they sometimes are out of the hygiene products needed (Schenwar. 2010). What this causes is an inmate who may have already spent their money at the commissary and ran out of their free products to be smelly and unsanitary. Prisons should be required to maintain a certain level of cleanliness within their gates and with the shortage of these products not only do they violate that right, they create a more hostile and dangerous environment (Schenwar. 2010).
For incarcerated women transitioning back into the real world can be extremely difficult, because adapting to the prison life was so hard sometimes getting back out into the real world is even worse.
“Women offenders with substance use problems face many challenges when returning to the community after prison release—including obtaining employment, reuniting with children and family, and coping with pressures to return to drug use” (Whitten. 2013. Pg.1). For this reason several states including California are coming up with after prison treatment plans to help women ease their way back into the real world (Whitten. 2013). The program includes drug rehabilitation, family therapy as well as individual therapy, and health related services. Just these programs alone will help former incarcerated women to reconnect with their children and families and not end up back in prison. Although there are resources like these provided to help former incarcerated men get back on their feet, it is not as necessary for them as it is for women. (Whitten. …show more content…
2013).
Incarcerated women require many more resources than incarcerated men; just the simple fact that they are much more emotionally unstable is a huge factor. It is time to start realizing women require more necessities and comfort then men and get them the resources they need.
References:
Ajinkya, Julie. (2013, 8 March). Rethinking How to Address the Growing Female Prison Population. Center for American Progress. Retrieved from: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/women/news/2013/03/08/55787/rethinking-how-to-address-the-growing-female-prison-population/
Hannaher, Kate. (2007). Caring for Invisible Patients: Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare for Incarcerated Women. Hamline Journal Of Public Law & Policy, 29(1), 161-209. Retrieved from: https://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=9&sid=e54374e1-35bc-4498-a8ab-3edc9dedc1b7%40sessionmgr4004&hid=4204&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=31550537
International Committee of the Red Cross. (2009, 27 Feb.). Health in Prisons: Looking after a women in a men’s world. Resource Center. Retrieved from: http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/interview/women-health-prison-interview-020309.htm
Santiago, Kisa. (2013, 03. June). Babies Behind Bars: Motherly Love or abuse? HLNTV. Retrieved from: http://www.hlntv.com/article/2013/05/10/prison-nursery
Schenwar, Maya.
(2010, 12. April). In Prison, Toilet Paper is the New Tampon. Ms. Magazine. Retrieved from: http://msmagazine.com/blog/2010/04/12/in-prison-toilet-paper-is-the-new-tampon/
Villanueva, Chandra. (2009, May). Mothers, Infants and Imprisonment. Institute on Women & Criminal Justice. Retrieved from: http://www.wpaonline.org/pdf/Mothers%20Infants%20and%20Imprisonment%202009.pdf
Whitten, Lori. (2013, 19 Sept.). Post-Prison Treatment Reduces Recidivism Among Women With Substance Use Problems. Corrections.com. Retrieved from: http://www.corrections.com/articles/33876
Women’s Health Care Physicians. (2012. August). Reproductive Health Care for Incarcerated Women and Adolescent Females. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Retrieved from: https://www.acog.org/~/media/Committee%20Opinions/Committee%20on%20Health%20Care%20for%20Underserved%20Women/co535.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20140128T1543050312
Women’s Health Care Physicians. (2011. Novemeber). Health Care for Pregnant and Postpartum Incarcerated Women and Adolescent Females. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Retrieved from:
http://www.acog.org/Resources_And_Publications/Committee_Opinions/Committee_on_Health_Care_for_Underserved_Women/Health_Care_for_Pregnant_and_Postpartum_Incarcerated_Women_and_Adolescent_Females