Female Offenders Sociology

tarcher

Sociology 324

Final paper

05/08/2015

The gendered nature of the criminal justice system is evident through the treatment of female offenders. The evil women hypothesis states that gender discrimination exists for women in the criminal justice system. Offending women are punished not only for breaking the law, but also for violating gender roles. Therefore aggressive female offenders are often punished more harshly than male offenders. The socialization of these gender roles is problematic, because women are treated unfairly in the correctional system. Another problem in female institutions is the health care system. The majority of prisons fail to include gynecological care for women. Most prisons lack appropriate personnel to provide

Another problem unique to women in prison is the issue of child care. Typically when fathers enter prison, the mother of the child takes custody. However, women are more likely to be the primary care giver of their children. Therefore when women are sent to prison, the children are usually placed in foster care or sent to live with relatives. However, improved counseling and medical programs could aid both women and their children, in overcoming some of these negative consequences. Counseling programs could encompass a variety of programs beneficial to women. First these programs could serve as an intervention for juvenile offenders. Through offering education, career services and mentoring to juvenile offenders, these programs could guide young girls. Secondly, counseling programs could offer parenting classes to mothers, allowing them to become good parents outside of prison. Along with counseling, improved medical programs are a necessity for women in prison. Increasing the number of medical doctors at women’s facilities could help provide adequate care for pregnant women, and meet the physical needs of other inmates. The following story about Mama Sheik provides

She is also the mother of three children. As with most mothers who enter prison, she is the primary caregiver for her children. When she went to prison, the children went to live with her elderly mother. Although, the children are not in foster care, Sad Eyes’ mother struggles financially to support all three children. Unfortunately the children rarely visit their mother in prison. Sad Eyes was also subjected to inadequate medical care while in prison. When she developed a medical condition requiring assistance, a special trip was arranged to a male prison. The female prison facility lacked the necessary personnel to treat Sad Eyes. Programs which increase the number of doctors at female prisons are necessary to ensure of the safety of the women. Increased medical facilities in female prisons are also important, for the general health care needs of the inmates. In addition counseling programs would also aid Sad Eyes in becoming a better parent, benefiting her children in the long term. Thus programs such as improved counseling and medical services would benefit both Mama Sheik and Sad