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Review of Department of Correctional Services Research on Female Commitments

NCJ Number
125441
Date Published
1990
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This review summarizes reports addressing the characteristics of female inmates in New York State correctional facilities, their profile, a comparison of women under custody and men under custody, the percentage of female recidivists, the percentage of women under custody who are mothers, and the types of offenses committed.
Abstract
Several reports examine trends in female commitments and compare males and females in terms of county of commitment, ethnic background, education, commitment age, conviction crime, and prior record. Domestic violence, female substance abuse convictions, and female security issues are explored in several cited reports. Research indicates that women have a lower rate of recidivism than men. Three reports deal with women committed for homicide. Inmate mothers and correctional facility nursery programs are examined in two reports. Several reports examine the type of offenses committed by women, their family situations, and their family histories.