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NCJ Number:	83851

Title:	Women in the Penal System

Author(s):	J Matthews

Date Published:	1981

Annotation:	The number of females incarcerated in United Kingdom prisons has increased 18 percent during the 5-year period ending in 1981; 1,431 women were in custody as of November 10, 1981.

Abstract:	The increase in the number of females in prison has led to serious problems of overcrowding. Female criminality is regarded as more complex, incomprehensible, and indicative of personality disorder than male crime. Special emotional problems are present, and the level of violence in women's establishments is indicative of this fact. Blatant homosexuality remains a major problem in most institutions. Principal categories of women in prison include remand prisoners, the majority of whom are not subsequently sentenced to imprisonment; property offenders; fine defaulters; drunken offenders; violent offenders; drug dependents; and young offenders. In addition, the Howard League reports that over 1,000 children have mothers who are incarcerated. Understaffing continues to plague the women's division of the prison system. In 1980, there were 899 female prison officers employed, comprising only 5.5 percent of the total number of prison officers. The increased use of alternatives to imprisonment for female offenders is desirable, and the use of probation, community service orders, fines, attendance centers, and hostels is encouraged. Training and educational programs are limited in women's establishments in the United Kingdom. No references are cited.

Index Term(s):	Correctional reform; Female inmates; Incarceration; Offender profiles; Prison overcrowding; United Kingdom (UK); Women's correctional institutions

Sponsoring Agency:	National Assoc for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO) London, SW9 0PU National Institute of Justice/ Rockville, MD 20849

Corporate Author:	National Assoc for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO) United Kingdom

Sale Source:	National Institute of Justice/ NCJRS paper reproduction Box 6000, Dept F Rockville, MD 20849 United States of America

Page Count:	15

Language:	English

Country:	United Kingdom

Note:	NACRO briefing



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