Maltreatment of women in priso

The one thing prisons do very well is punish prisoners, especially women prisoners. Prisons strip them of their dignity, their health, and whatever self-esteem they once might have had (Watterson 12).

There are over 90,000 women in prison today. The majority are in prison for economic crimes. The most typical convictions resulting in imprisonment for women are property crimes, such as check forgery and illegal credit card use. Of women convicted of violent crimes, the vast majority were convicted for defending themselves or their children from abuse. Average prison terms are twice as long for killing husbands as for killing wives (Women’s Economic Agenda Project).

According to interviews conducted by the Human Rights Watch Women’s Rights Project, findings indicate that being a women prisoner in United States prisons can be a terrifying experience (6). Sexual misconduct and various forms of abuse and neglect of women inmates so pervade the U.S. correctio

Authorities should establish standards of appropriate and adequate healthcare and conduct periodic reviews of the services. The health services should be geared toward both men and women.

While many feel that a person who breaks the law should be punished, punishment will not reduce crime. I feel a need for alternative sentencing especially for those with non-violent minor offenses such as check forgery or illegal credit card use. Alternative sentencing to community treatment programs that address substance abuse problems, educational, personal, and economic needs could make a life-changing difference.

Why is this maltreatment allowed to happen? Women taken into custody in the United States are legally entitled to the same fundamental rights that are available to everyone else. The correction system has failed to adjust to the gender-specific needs of the population. Ineffective formal procedures, legislation, and reporting capacity within U.S. jails and prisons accounts for much of the ongoing sexual abuse of women. The climate of sexual abuse by prison guards is fueled by lack of oversight and disciplinary action against sexual misconduct. In 1997, according to the U.S. Justice Department only ten prison employees in the entire federal system were disciplined, and only 7 were prosecuted. If a prison official is found guilty, he is often simply transferred to another facility instead of being fired (Fletcher et al. 93). Grievance or investigatory procedures, where they exist, are often ineffectual, and correctional employees continue to engage in abuse because they believe they will rarely be held accountable, administratively or criminally. Despite any laws on the books enforcement is often sporadic or non-existent (Women in Prison).

A half a million children are separated from their mothers by jail and prison bars. The low priority given by prison administrators to maintaining mother/child relationships contributes to family disruption and children’s social alienation (Rights For All). Because facilities are located in remote towns, half of these women do not see their children. Women incarcerate

Some topics in this essay:
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