NCJ Number
44624
Date Published
1977
Length
108 pages
Annotation
THE NEEDS OF THE CANADIAN FEMALE OFFENDER ARE IDENTIFIED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRESENTED FOR IMPROVING CORRECTIONS SERVICES TO MEET HER NEEDS.
Abstract
IN THE PERIOD FROM ARREST TO TRIAL, FEMALE DEFENDANTS HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE FOLLOWING DIFFICULTIES: (1) BRUTALITY, SEXUAL ADVANCES, INSULTING REMARKS, AND INSENSITIVITY ON THE PART OF ARRESTING OFFICERS; (2) JAIL FACILITIES THAT ARE GENERALLY UNSATISFACTORY; (3) BODY SEARCHES THAT ARE OFTEN TRAUMATIC FOR WOMEN; (4) COURT SERVICES AND ADVOCACY THAT ARE FREQUENTLY INADEQUATE; (5) COMMON FACILITIES FOR FEMALES ON REMAND AND UNDER SENTENCE; (6) LENGTHY DETENTIONS ON REMAND UNTIL CASE DISPOSITION; (7) INCARCERATION DUE TO ABSENCE OF PROGRAMS FOR FEMALE OFFENDERS; AND (8) LACK OF COORDINATION OF DOCUMENTATION AND FILES RESULTING IN UNFAIR TREATMENT. WOMEN ARE USUALLY REMOVED FROM THEIR COMMUNITY, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS AND SUFFER A LOSS OF CIVIL RIGHTS WHEN DETAINED OUTSIDE THE PROVINCE IN WHICH CIVIL ACTION IS BEING TAKEN, NOTABLY WITH RESPECT TO FAMILY MATTERS (CHILD CUSTODY, DIVORCE, ETC.). FURTHERMORE, POOR CONDITIONS; INADEQUATE REHABILITATION PROGRAMS; INADEQUATE INMATE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS; AND UNDERSTAFFING ARE CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE PRISONS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEALING WITH THESE PROBLEMS INCLUDE THE HOUSING OF FEMALE OFFENDERS IN PROVINCIAL INSTITUTIONS INSTEAD OF A SINGLE FEDERAL INSTITUTION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS TO REPLACE INCARCERATION. PRETRIAL DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS ARE RECOMMENDED ALSO, ALONG WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICE AND COURT POLICIES THAT CONSIDER THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF FEMALE DEFENDANTS. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN MATERIALS BEARING UPON THE STUDY METHODOLOGY AND STUDY FINDINGS. VOLUME TWO PROVIDES TABULAR STATISTICS ON THE INCIDENCE OF FEMALE OFFENSES, CONVICTIONS, AND DISPOSITIONS. (RCB)