A sample of 26 unique studies yielded 45 tests of treatment in samples in which female offenders predominated; in 24 tests, the sample was composed exclusively of female offenders. Findings show that mean reduction in recidivism increased with adherence to each of the principles of effective human service. Reductions in the recidivism rates of female offenders were found when human service was delivered, in particular when human service was delivered to higher risk cases, when service targeted criminogenic rather than noncriminogenic needs, and when structured social learning and cognitive behavioral strategies were used. Subject to additional research, this study concludes that the principles of case classification, integrity, and core correctional practice are highly relevant to program design and delivery with female offenders. Despite these preliminary findings, however, several issues still must be examined. The number of studies of female offenders -- particularly incarcerated female offenders, adult female offenders, and female offenders in restorative justice contexts -- is very small. The lack of controlled-outcome studies of specific responsivity factors, in particular of gender-specific responsivity factors, makes them a high priority along with studies of adult and incarcerated female offenders and with studies of human service in a restorative justice context. 3 tables and 9 footnotes