NCJ Number
182884
Date Published
2000
Length
192 pages
Annotation
This volume reviews current knowledge about female offenders in Canada, examines theories of female criminality, and discusses alternatives to correctional facilities and current corrections policies.
Abstract
A review of crime statistics concludes that Canadian women do not represent a major threat to safety and that contrary to popular believe, violence crimes committed by women have decreased rather than increased. Furthermore, much of female violence in intimate relationships is in self-defense or fighting back. Nevertheless, little is known about women’s involvement in white-collar crime and organized crime. Similarly, juvenile statistics reveal that Canadian female juveniles are less violent than male juveniles, that their crimes are mainly property crimes, and that limits on their job opportunities place them at greater risk than males of becoming prostitutes. Three major risk factors for female juvenile delinquency are poverty, unemployment, and domestic assault. Most of Canada’s crime control policies do not rest on sociological perspectives that focus on the major factors that propel females into crime. Many Canadian politicians, journalists, lobby groups, and voters advocate more prisons, longer sentences, harsher treatment of young offenders, and young offenders, although these policies have had a negative effect on large numbers of females and have proved ineffective. Alternative approaches are needed that address family violence, woman abuse in dating, poverty, and unemployment. Tables; photographs; chapter notes, discussion questions, problem solving scenarios, and suggested readings; name and subject indexes; and 343 references