ABSTRACT
This chapter examines female ex-offender's perceptions of the correctional programming they received during their incarceration. Many women prisoners experienced emotional, psychological, physical and sexual abuse and exposure to drug/alcohol abuse as children and during adulthood. When studying the situations of women prisoners, their concerns, and their treatment needs, correctional administrators, staff, and policy makers should do so based on gender-specific and gender-responsive approaches. Typically, women prisoners are young, poor, undereducated, underemployed prior to incarceration, mothers to minor children, and struggle with histories of substance abuse. Issues regarding mental health, history of substance abuse and addiction, and life stressors presented during reentry may place many ex-offenders at a high risk for reoffending and drug or alcohol relapse. The courts have held that "prisons and jails can, and must, reasonably accommodate a woman's decision to have an abortion". The Girl Scouts Behind Bars is an organization that helps incarcerated mothers develop parenting skills and is dedicated to keeping mothers and daughters connected.
