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Early Victimization, Drug Use, and Criminality: A Comparison of Male and Female Prisoners

NCJ Number
170803
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 24 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1997) Pages: 455-476
Author(s)
D S McClellan; D Farabee; B M Crouch
Date Published
1997
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This is a comparative analysis of the relative victimization of male and female prisoners and subsequent substance abuse and criminality.
Abstract
Comparative analysis of the relative victimization of 1,030 adult male prisoners and 500 adult female prisoners in Texas reveals significant gender differences in childhood and adult maltreatment and subsequent substance abuse and criminality. Female inmates reported significantly more maltreatment as children than did male inmates. Moreover, the maltreatment of women increased when they became adults, whereas the maltreatment of men dropped sharply. The study found childhood maltreatment to be more strongly associated with adult depression and substance dependence among women than among men. The severity of substance misuse and problems associated with it are stronger predictors of female rates of criminal activity than male rates. The article includes literature from the social sciences to account for the findings, and suggests a female empowerment treatment model to help women gain control over their lives. Note, tables, references