In 1986, 20 women were on death row in 12 States; in 1999, 44 women were on death row in 16 States. This increase is not due to a rise in the number of women who are sentenced to death each year. Rather, there has been a trend nationwide for courts at all levels to grant fewer new trials, reversals, or remands. Further, recent Federal legislation has significantly limited the availability of appeals and has restricted the power of Federal courts to grant habeas corpus review of State court rulings. A 1997 study found considerable variation among 14 death rows surveyed. They were reformed and unreformed death rows for women, and some institutions were reformed to the point of total integration of death-sentenced women back into the general correctional population. These extremes influenced the nature and type of administrative problems and considerations facing correctional staff and management. There appeared to be a relationship between the size of the correctional population and the degree of reformation. Specific study findings are detailed with respect to physical attributes and characteristics of death rows and death row inmates, daily inmate routines, perceptions of security risks, and correctional staff training and development. 8 references