Question

Watch the lecture titled "Female Inmates"

1. What percentage of prisoners are female?
2. How do female prisoners typically differ from male prisoners?
3. What unique challenges do female prisons face?
4. What were early explanations for female crime?
5. Is there a unique female inmate subculture? Explain.
6. How do the needs of female versus male inmates compare?

Answer 1

1. Aproximately 7% of prisoners are female.

2. Female prisoners typically have different backgrounds and experiences than male prisoners. They are more likely to have experienced physical and sexual abuse, have mental health issues, and have substance abuse problems.

3. Female prisons face unique challenges such as providing adequate healthcare for women's reproductive needs, addressing the trauma and abuse many women have experienced, and providing programs and services that meet the needs of female inmates.

4. Early explanations for female crime included the idea that women were inherently immoral or mentally deficient, or that they were simply following the lead of male criminals.

5. Yes, there is a unique female inmate subculture that is often characterized by close relationships between inmates, a focus on nurturing and caretaking, and a tendency to form families or \"families of choice\" within the prison.

6. The needs of female inmates often differ from those of male inmates, particularly in terms of healthcare and addressing trauma and abuse. Female inmates may also have different needs when it comes to education and job training programs.