Community-Based Programs
Because the majority of juvenile and adult female offenders are nonviolent, coping with painful circumstances, sometimes mental illness, and perpetrate crimes of necessity (stealing and prostituting to live and earn money, etc.) a tremendous burden is put upon the prison system in housing them. It's clear from the past and the present that corrections, and female corrections in particular, is nothing more than an unpleasant afterthought for the government and even many states.
Those incarcerated women feel that burden every day.
Where do they fit?
A good amount of recent research on alternate sentencing and treatment programs for both juveniles and adults suggest that a community-based approach is a promising direction. It has the creative freedom to produce results via intervention rather than waiting until crimes are committed and then funneling offenders through the correctional system again and again.
Even better: in addition to reducing recidivism rates, community-based programs are usually more cost-effective by a significant margin.
Because the majority of juvenile and adult female offenders are nonviolent, coping with painful circumstances, sometimes mental illness, and perpetrate crimes of necessity (stealing and prostituting to live and earn money, etc.) a tremendous burden is put upon the prison system in housing them. It's clear from the past and the present that corrections, and female corrections in particular, is nothing more than an unpleasant afterthought for the government and even many states.
Those incarcerated women feel that burden every day.
Where do they fit?
A good amount of recent research on alternate sentencing and treatment programs for both juveniles and adults suggest that a community-based approach is a promising direction. It has the creative freedom to produce results via intervention rather than waiting until crimes are committed and then funneling offenders through the correctional system again and again.
Even better: in addition to reducing recidivism rates, community-based programs are usually more cost-effective by a significant margin.
The Right Direction
WATCH THIS GREAT VIDEO!!
While this video does not deal solely with female issues and offenders, it offers an enlightening and holistic view of positive and effective programming for offenders, or would-be offenders.
While this video does not deal solely with female issues and offenders, it offers an enlightening and holistic view of positive and effective programming for offenders, or would-be offenders.
Current Programs
The YWCA B U Program in McLean County is a program designed to allow teenage girls a safe place to hang out, have fun, take trips, get to know other girls, and learn things like cooking.
|
Cook County, IL has created a new community-based transitional program for female offenders.
Treatment, Education, and aftercare are all emphasized. |
MOMobile Family and Maternity Services in Philadelphia, PA
The following core activities ensure achievement of MOMobile program goals:
|
Labyrinth Outreach
Labyrinth Outreach Services to Women Services: assists women who are formerly incarcerated, soon-to-be released, paroled, and/or willing to learn independence in securing:
|
Want to see the frameworks and program choices that community-based programs can use to build their own unique services?
Of course you do!
|
Questions of Policy and Implementation
America has built a criminal justice system rife with opposing viewpoints, treatments, and messages.
The corrections process has created a framework to assess offenders on a case-by-case basis depending on their specific needs, and yet that is not the functional norm.
What can be done?
Big Picture Questions and Concerns
|
Shoot-For-The-Stars Ideas
|
Where do you see the prison system heading?
What are your own "shoot-for-the-stars" ideas?
What are your own "shoot-for-the-stars" ideas?