Female Prisons

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Many people have seen the television series ‘Orange is the New Black’ and think that this is an accurate picture of female prison life. In fact, life on the inside for women may be very different from the show and also different than their male counterparts. Despite the nearly 40 years of sexual revolution, and battle of the sexes, it seems that men and women truly are different, at least when it comes to prison life. Female inmates have specific needs, behaviors, languages, interactions, and outcomes within the United States prison system. Female inmates often have a strong need for social supports (i.e., programming, family) while incarcerated.
Some may think that women enjoy open social support from other female prisoners, whether …show more content…

Both types of inmates lead highly structured lives with schedules that include early wake up times, breakfast, time for work—which may vary depending on the type of facility or type of offences, lunch, time for work again, dinner, and “free time”. Free time can be spent in classes, drug rehabilitation classes, religious events, and visits with family. While many women’s prisons are filled with less violent offenders and with those convicted of drug charges, some women’s prisons are dedicated to serving violent, repeat offenders similar to their male counterparts. Still there is a schedule for both sets of inmates which definitely effects the subculture. Women may be different in the fact that they need more social support and could benefit from services that include rehabilitation of drug issues, self-help type courses, and preparation for life on the outside. Sometimes there is a lack of this programming due to funding and this may negatively affect female prisoners in a way that it does not affect men. Another difference between male and female prison subcultures is that males may have more contact with the outside world through visitation of friends, family, and other visitors like church prison ministries. This too could have a negative impact on women’s social life in prison because of their potential need for and benefit from more social

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