Home / Publications / NCJRS Abstract

PUBLICATIONS

Stay Informed
Register with NCJRS to receive NCJRS's biweekly e-newsletter JUSTINFO and additional periodic emails from NCJRS and the NCJRS federal sponsors that highlight the latest research published or sponsored by the Office of Justice Programs.

NCJRS Abstract

The document referenced below is part of the NCJRS Virtual Library collection. To conduct further searches of the collection, visit the Virtual Library. See the Obtain Documents page for direction on how to access resources online, via mail, through interlibrary loans, or in a local library.

NCJ Number:	83851

Title:	Women in the Penal System

Author(s):	J Matthews

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

Date Published:	1981

Page Count:	15

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

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

Language:	English

Country:	United Kingdom

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

Note:	NACRO briefing



	To cite this abstract, use the following link: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=83851

*A link to the full-text document is provided whenever possible. For documents not available online, a link to the publisher's website is provided. Tell us how you use the NCJRS Library and Abstracts Database - send us your feedback.

PUBLICATIONS

NCJRS Abstract

Find in a Library