FEMALE OFFENDERS

Albion 2 functions 2 functions –Sexual regulation –Vocational regulation Authorized to receive women convicted of Authorized to receive women convicted of –Petit larceny –Habitual drunkenness –Common prostitution – and other sexual activities –Frequenting a disorderly house –Other misdemeanor

What was the social attitudes in support of Albion “For at least half [and perhaps up to ¾] of Albion's inmates, the act that led to incarceration had actually been sexual misconduct” “For at least half [and perhaps up to ¾] of Albion's inmates, the act that led to incarceration had actually been sexual misconduct” –Some for prostitution but also for Sexually active, engaging in flirtations and affairs for pleasure instead of money Response to social purity campaigns – members of the middle and upper classes…committed themselves to the cleansing of society. Response to social purity campaigns – members of the middle and upper classes…committed themselves to the cleansing of society.

Feminist movement afoot By % NY State women were gainfully employed By % NY State women were gainfully employed 80% of Albion’s inmates had previousl worked for wages 80% of Albion’s inmates had previousl worked for wages With independence came With independence came –Cigarettes, dance halls, sexual relationships –Disinterested in the ideals of “true” womanhood

EXPLAINING LOMBROSO (1876)– believe women criminals were an aberration, masculinized women LOMBROSO (1876)– believe women criminals were an aberration, masculinized women FREUD (1933) – female criminals to be women who lacked proper maternal instincts FREUD (1933) – female criminals to be women who lacked proper maternal instincts Pollack (1950) – crime with the highest prevalence among women shoplifting, domestic theft, theft by prostitution, had low detection rates Pollack (1950) – crime with the highest prevalence among women shoplifting, domestic theft, theft by prostitution, had low detection rates ADLER SIMON – liberation hypothesis [1975]– Adler says women’s liberation opened social opportunities for women and subsequently women would be committing offenses similar to men. Simons says, liberation gave greater access in the labor market ADLER SIMON – liberation hypothesis [1975]– Adler says women’s liberation opened social opportunities for women and subsequently women would be committing offenses similar to men. Simons says, liberation gave greater access in the labor market

EXPLAINING Radical feminism [1970’s and 1980’s] male power and privilege both define all social relations and are the primary cause of all social inequities. Radical feminism [1970’s and 1980’s] male power and privilege both define all social relations and are the primary cause of all social inequities. –Many young female offenders saw attempts to flee abusive controlling fathers; their crimes – running away from home, incorrigibility, even prostitution were simply survival strategies –Police and the courts are an extension of the patriarchal system

EXPLAINING Socialist feminist – intersection of social class and gender Socialist feminist – intersection of social class and gender –Hagen [1989] family structure creates differential power dynamics between husbands and wives, and between their male and female children. Produces daughters whose futures are limited to domestic labor and consumption –Fathers exercise great control over the lives of these girls and young women

EXPLAINING Power control theory of criminality suggest that the presence of power and the absence of control in egalitarian families create conditions conducive to common forms of delinquency for both boys and girls Power control theory of criminality suggest that the presence of power and the absence of control in egalitarian families create conditions conducive to common forms of delinquency for both boys and girls Marxist feminism, male dominance reflects a social ideology that is willing to subjugate women, first to capital and second to men Marxist feminism, male dominance reflects a social ideology that is willing to subjugate women, first to capital and second to men

Programming and services in Jails The inmate population in U.S. jails traditionally has been overwhelmingly male. The proportion of women n jail changed dramatically at the end of the 20 th century. But no corresponding dramatic shift in resources for the facilities The inmate population in U.S. jails traditionally has been overwhelmingly male. The proportion of women n jail changed dramatically at the end of the 20 th century. But no corresponding dramatic shift in resources for the facilities Women are disproportionately represented among special-needs inmates, a population that already places demands on extra services on faciltites. Women are disproportionately represented among special-needs inmates, a population that already places demands on extra services on faciltites. –Mental illness [males 16% females 23%] –HIV is a growing problem

The Female Inmates 44% Black 44% Black 36% white 36% white 15% Hispanics 15% Hispanics 5% Others 5% Others 10% pregnant at time of admission 10% pregnant at time of admission 55% finished high school [= to men] 55% finished high school [= to men]

Distinctions of Female Inmates More are 1 st time offender More are 1 st time offender More likely to be convicted of property offenses More likely to be convicted of property offenses Drugs and alcohol play a larger role in women’s illegal activities Drugs and alcohol play a larger role in women’s illegal activities The abuse rate for women is almost 4 times that reported by men inmates, rape rate was almost 10 times greater The abuse rate for women is almost 4 times that reported by men inmates, rape rate was almost 10 times greater Greater lack of programming in women prisons than men Greater lack of programming in women prisons than men

Programming and Services – special needs Women inmates have greater mental health problems Women inmates have greater mental health problems Women more likely than men to receive mental health services Women more likely than men to receive mental health services Greater reporting of medical problems Greater reporting of medical problems

Parenting and Incarcerated Mothers Negatively impacts both those who are incarcerated and the children they leave behind Negatively impacts both those who are incarcerated and the children they leave behind 7 in 10 female inmates have children under the age of 18 7 in 10 female inmates have children under the age of 18 Late 1990’s estimated that women in jail had 105,300 minor children or roughly 2 children per inmate Late 1990’s estimated that women in jail had 105,300 minor children or roughly 2 children per inmate

Parenting and Incarcerated Mothers 2 in 3 women lived with their children before being incarcerated 2 in 3 women lived with their children before being incarcerated 2 in 5 fathers lived with their children before being incarcerated 2 in 5 fathers lived with their children before being incarcerated

Where do the children go? When fathers go to prison their children live with their mother or another relative When fathers go to prison their children live with their mother or another relative When mothers go to prison their children go to foster care, adoption, or at best, another relative When mothers go to prison their children go to foster care, adoption, or at best, another relative