ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the growth and considers some of the differences between male and female offenders. It discusses some general principles of good practice when working with offenders, including the type of interventions which work best and the importance of delivering those interventions as they were intended. The chapter discusses the effectiveness of a number of specific interventions which have been targeted towards women. It seems clear that while women and men offenders share some characteristics, a range of distinct factors point to women's differing pathways into crime. With women surveillance-oriented, punitive and blaming interventions, whether in prison or in the community, are ineffective and have the potential to increase recidivism. It argues the importance for correctional programmes to assist women to improve their overall well-being, with the general view that emotional and psychological stability may reduce risk of re-offending.
