Soc 329 – AI Women Amnesty International Reports (external) Govt reports often gloss over problems (internal) Basic Problems:

Soc 329 – AI Women 1. Powerlessness & Dependency Sexual exploitation Sexual assault Sexual humiliation (Mostly by guards!!)

Soc 329 – AI Women 2. Retaliation and Fear Records often open to guards Visitation by children threatened Complaints are punished -- writeups or adseg

Soc 329 – AI Women 3. Impunity of staff Virtually no protections for prisoners Note: male inmates protect themselves through violence/retaliation/gangs

Soc 329 – AI Women Sentencing and War on Drugs (box) Many women prisoners are low level drug offenders with nothing to trade (often girlfriend of boyfriend dealer - boyfriends trade out)

Soc 329 – AI Women Medical Neglect - issues usually money Lack of medical attention, services often leads to serious injury or death

Soc 329 – AI Women Lack of med staff poor quality of medical treatment non-medical screening routine drugging (psychotropic)

Soc 329 – AI Women Charging for medical treatment violates international law! but saves "taxpayers" money!

Soc 329 – AI Women Lack of reproductive medical care even routine screens usually not available lack of care harmful to mother & baby shackling is especially harmful

Soc 329 – AI Women Drug treatment declining money is the main issue

Soc 329 – AI Women Discrimination is rampant: race/ethnic class sexual orientation

Soc 329 – AI Women Two more points: 1. US refuses to adopt most international human rights protocols protecting women and juvenile prisoners. 2. Privatization often makes the problems worse - cost-cutting to save money.