Women In Prison Sociology

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Research has demonstrated that over the last 15 years, the number of imprisoned women in the United States has increased dramatically. While the number of men in state and federal prisons has grown 67% since 1990, the number of imprisoned women has increased by 92% (Beck and Mumola, 1998). Offenses related to illegal drugs account for nearly 40% of this increase. Historically, offenses such as larceny, forgery, embezzlement and prostitution accounted for the majority of women’s sentences (OJP Special Report, 1998). Additionally, It is also vital to note that the number of women receiving sentences of more than one year has increased by 80% since 1990 (Beck and Mumola, 1999). The racial disparity between female inmates in a correctional …show more content…
Statistically over 60% of the women who are incarcerated are more than a hundred miles from their residence. Henceforth, geographical location becomes a major issue because the expense of travelling back and forth to the correctional facility for a short period of time for visitation and as a result, this can deter family members from visiting the female inmate. Another factor to consider is that, if the inmate has a child, the child may not frequently visit his/her mother because of location and or there is no available guardian to accompany child to the prison. This can create a strain on the relationship between mother and child (Beck and Mumola, …show more content…
For instance, the facility may be unable to offer the appropriate access to feminine hygiene products, or adequate prenatal and maternity care or they may not have qualified staff physicians to ensure that female inmates receive proper mental health assessment. Further, in addition to health care needs, pregnancy and childbirth is another crucial factor for female inmates. Research illustrates that approximately 6% to 10% of female inmates are pregnant upon incarceration (Martin et al., 1997). Some studies suggested that between the years of 1977 and 2007, the number of women incarcerated increased tremendously by 832%. As a result, more babies are born each year to female inmates and without the adequate health services, this process can be deemed difficult. Studies suggested that giving birth in prison can be a lonesome experience. You have no family or friends around you to give you that extra support. The Bureau of Justice Statistics noted that “There are more than 200,000 women in U.S. prisons or jails each year and roughly 6%, or 12,000, of those women are pregnant at the time they are incarcerated. These women, including the thousands who will deliver their babies while still incarcerated, are routinely subjected to the risks of shackling (1999). Research illustrates that even though 21 states in the United States and the District of Columbia has endorsed
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