NCJ Number
12682
Date Published
1973
Length
470 pages
Annotation
ARTICLES ON THE PRISON EXPERIENCE OF THE FEMALE OFFENDER, WITH DISCUSSION OF THE LEGAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF INSTITUTIONALIZATION.
Abstract
IN WOMEN IN PRISON, THE AUTHOR GIVES WOMEN PRISONERS AND PRISON OFFICIALS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. THROUGH THE USE OF LETTERS, ARTICLES, POETRY AND PERSONAL ACCOUNTS, THE READER IS GIVEN DESCRIPTIONS OF THE COMPLETE INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE--FROM ADMISSION TO PAROLE. THE INFORMATION FOR THIS WORK WAS GATHERED FROM INTERVIEWS WITH 400 FEMALE INMATES AND PRISON OFFICIALS IN MARYSVILLE, OHIO, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, AND OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS. CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PRISON ON A WOMAN INCARCERATED OR EMPLOYED BY THE PENAL SYSTEM. MANY FEMALE INMATES EXPRESS A FEELING OF SELF-DEFEAT AND LONELINESS RESULTING PRIMARILY FROM SEPARATION FROM THEIR CHILDREN. THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND PRISON OFFICIALS EXPRESS BOTH PRIDE AND FRUSTRATION ABOUT THE WAY THE SYSTEM OPERATES. THE AUTHOR ALSO DISCUSSES THE DEHUMANIZING ASPECTS OF PRISONS - GYNECOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS, BODY SEARCHES, LOSS OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS, AND MONITORING OF INCOMING AND OUTGOING MAIL AND VISITORS. THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF SEVERAL U.S. INSTITUTIONS ARE INCLUDED, OFFERING THE READER INSIGHT INTO THE SITUATION IN WHICH THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER MUST WORK AND THE FEMALE PRISONER MUST LIVE. COMMENTS ARE MADE ON THE SOCIAL INJUSTICES SUFFERED BY POOR WOMEN WHO OFTEN ARE SENT TO PRISON FOR THEIR OFFENSES WHILE THEIR MORE WELL-TO-DO COUNTERPARTS ARE NOT. THE AUTHOR ALSO POINTS OUT THAT SOME OF THE VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFERED TO INMATES, SUCH AS COSMETOLOGY, ARE OF LIMITED USE TO THE PRISONERS BECAUSE, IN MOST STATES, FELONY CONVICTIONS PREVENT STATE LICENSING. A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND A GLOSSARY OF INSTITUTIONAL ARGOT IS PROVIDED ALONG WITH PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING ASPECTS OF DAILY LIVING IN A WOMAN'S PRISON.