NCJ Number
67549
Date Published
1978
Length
70 pages
Annotation
CURRENT WYOMING CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN ARE ASSESSED AND OPTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS ARE DEVELOPED.
Abstract
THE WYOMING WOMEN'S CENTER, THE ONLY WYOMING CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR WOMEN, HAS BEEN LOCATED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE WYOMING STATE HOSPITAL AT EVANSTON SINCE AUGUST 1977. THE FACILITY WAS DEVELOPED AS A TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT MADE NECESSARY BY THE RETURN OF WYOMING'S FEMALE OFFENDERS FROM THE NEBRASKA CENTER FOR WOMEN. THE ORGINAL POPULATION OF 7 WOMEN HAS INCREASED TO 18 SINCE 1978. THE CENTER IS ADMINISTERED BY A SUPERINTENDENT, WITH A FACILITY MANAGER RESPONSIBLE FOR DAILY OPERATIONS. THERE ARE 10 CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AND A CLERICAL WORKER. WHILE THE CENTER HAS BEEN OPERATED UNDER THE LIMITATIONS IMPOSED, THE PHYSICAL FACILITIES ARE INADEQUATE FOR FURTHER EXPANSION, AND THE PROGRAMS OFFERED FALL SHORT OF ACCEPTABLE CORRECTIONAL STANDARDS. THE WYOMING BOARD OF CHARITIES AND REFORM HAS RECOMMENDED TO THE LEGISLATURE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW MEDIUM SECURITY, 42-BED FACILITY, INCLUDING ASSESSMENT AND RECEPTION SERVICES, IN ONE OF THE STATE'S MAJOR CITIES. FURTHER, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMUNITY-BASED SATELLITE FOR THE MEDIUM SECURITY FACILITY IS RECOMMENDED, WHICH WILL BE USED FOR MINIMUM SECURITY AND WORK AND EDUCATIONAL RELEASE. UNDER THIS OPTION, THE CURRENT WYOMING WOMEN'S CENTER WOULD BE PHASED OUT. THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS OF THE NEW FACILITIES ARE PROJECTED TO BE $3,050,735. CERTAIN INTERIM IMPROVEMENTS OF THE WYOMING WOMEN'S CENTER ARE SUGGESTED. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS AN EVALUATION OF THE WYOMING WOMEN'S CENTER. CHARTS AND TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)