ABSTRACT
The increasing incarceration of women experiencing substance use disorders is an emerging issue in many countries, including the United States. This chapter examines the current state of knowledge of issues these women faced before incarceration, while incarcerated, and as they re-enter the community from prison or jail. Challenges for incarcerated women, including co-occurring disorders involving substance use problems, physical health, and mental health, exposure to childhood and adult victimization (trauma), and barriers to receiving treatment are discussed. Current thinking and practices concerning integrated treatment and interventions for incarcerated women are reviewed, and several examples of promising gender-responsive programs are examined. Recommendations for policy and system changes to meet the challenges and needs of incarcerated women experiencing substance use problems are provided.
