ABSTRACT
This chapter explains how gender shapes the corrections environment and describes the range of correctional experiences that are affected by gender. It also explains the pathways to women’s involvement in the justice system. The chapter describes the special needs of women offenders and the special issues confronting corrections in accommodating a growing number of women offenders. The finding of shortcomings in the federal prison system is consistent with the observations of researchers examining women’s programs in state prison systems. Women are arrested less often than men and generally for less serious crimes, although the range of offenses is identical to that for men. The arrest statistics presented earlier show that compared with men, women are under- represented in all but embezzlement and prostitution offenses. The evidence suggests that women are second-class citizens in a system that places a great premium on status. Practices changed in Los Angeles after the county purchased scanners as fewer strip searches were necessary.
