Women in Prison

Women in Prison

There are many factors to consider when evaluating women in the prison system . Historically women committed minor offenses and did not commit major offenses for the most part . However due to the change in social structures and society as a whole women are being held accountable for their actions both legal and illegal actions

There are many factors to consider why women are committing more crimes Many studies have concluded that the women are acting in a criminal way because identified risk factors such as substance abuse , mental illness

br and spousal abuse . In 22 a survey conducted concluded that 36 of female inmates had been sexually assaulted prior to their criminal conduct . According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations , in 2004 23 .2 of arrests were females

Women prisoners have different needs than their male counterparts in prison . Women are often the victim of a prior crime such as abuse molestation , sexual assaults . Women are more likely than men to abuse drugs and develop an addition as well as more likely to have a mental illness as well . Women traditionally are the care takers and care givers of children . 43 of women claimed to have been physically abused or sexually abused prior to their criminal behavior . Because of this notion women have received somewhat of special treatment with their sentencing

A crime completed by a man receives more attention from the media because they are more likely to be violent and tend to be more sensational . According to one source 32 of all female prisoners are imprisoned for drug related offenses . Drug related offenses range from use of drugs to trafficking of the drugs for distribution . Drugs play a key role as the drugs influence and can determine a person 's behavior Drugs can enhance or decrease a person 's awareness to the point where they may react or may not react at all . An addiction as well can cause a person to steal thus ultimately being arrested for larceny and theft

It is not so much that the Criminal Justice system or the judicial system does not recognize female violators in the same light as they recognize male violators . The media plays a role on the criminals and crimes that the public is brought to know . When a female , such as Andrea Yates , is held for trial or charged with criminal conduct of that nature , the media swarms as it is not a regular occurrence that a woman kills numerous times without an explanation . Women have a tendency not to react violently to men or other women as it is in their nature to be nurturers and comfort people

However women in prison do not receive any privileges over men . A majority of guards at the prisons are men and subject the female prisoners to sexual assaults and sexual abuse while in prison . Many people believe that a woman 's sexuality is a factor when she is on trial . A jury may be prejudiced if they...