Chapter TwelveChapter Twelve Incarceration of Incarceration of WomenWomen

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives1. Explain why women prisoners are

called the “forgotten offenders.”2. Be familiar with the history of the

incarceration of women.3. Explain how interpersonal

relationships in women’s prisons differ from those in men’s prisons.

4. Be familiar with the special issues that incarcerated women face.

5. Discuss the problems women face when they are released to the community.

Learning Objective 1Learning Objective 1Learning objective 1: Explain why

women prisoners are called the “forgotten offenders.”

Forgotten OffendersForgotten Offenders• Institutionalized sexism:–Women’s prisons generally located

farther from friends and families–Small number of women in prison and

jail is used to “justify” lack of diverse educational, vocational, and other programs available to incarcerated women.–Small number used to “justify” low

levels of specialization in treatment and failure to segregate the more-serious and mentally ill offenders from the less-serious offenders.

Forgotten OffendersForgotten Offenders• Women make up 6.8% of federal

and state prison population• More than 114,000 females

incarcerated• Women account for 24.2% of all

arrests for serious crimes:–68% for arrests for prostitution and

commercialized vice–44.1% arrested for fraud–38% arrested for forgery

Learning Objective 2Learning Objective 2Learning objective 2: Be familiar

with the history of the incarceration of women.

HistoryHistory• Early 1800s, separate facilities from men

proposed• Late 1800s reform:–Separation of women prisoners from men–Provision of differential care–Management of women’s prison by female

staff• Reform movement ran its course by 1935• No distinctive model since 1940s• 1970s-1980s, women issue deferred by

concern over rising male prison population

Learning Objective 3Learning Objective 3Learning objective 3: Explain how

interpersonal relationships in women’s prisons differ from those in men’s prisons.

RelationshipsRelationships• Sexual relationships more voluntary than in

men’s prisons• Female inmates tend to form

pseudofamilies:– Father– Mother– Daughter– Sister

• Prisons less violent, less gang activity, and do not have same racial tension.

• Women’s interpersonal relationships were less stable and less familial in the past.

• Higher levels of mistrust and greater economic manipulation.

RelationshipsRelationshipsInformal social structure of

female prison is collectivist.Characterized by warmth and

mutual aid extended to family and kinship members:◦Male prisoners adapt by self-

sufficiency, a convict code, and solidarity with other inmates.

Learning Objective 4Learning Objective 4Learning objective 4: Be familiar

with the special issues that incarcerated women face.

Special IssuesSpecial IssuesSexual misconduct:

◦Any behavior that is sexual in nature that is directed toward an inmate by an employee, official visitor, or agency representative.

◦Include: Touching genitalia, breast, or buttocks in a way

that is intended to arouse, abuse, or gratify sexual desire

Using threats or making requests for sexual acts Indecent exposure and staff voyeurism for

sexual gratification

Special IssuesSpecial Issues• Educational and Vocational

programs:–Glover v. Johnson–Most female offenders

undereducated and unskilled–Women not being prepared for jobs

• Medical services:–Women usually have more serious

health problems–Gynecological problems

Special IssuesSpecial Issues◦Higher percentage of female than

male state prison inmates reported a medical problem since admission such as: Arthritis Asthma Cancer Heart problems Liver problems Hepatitis Sexually transmitted disease

Special IssuesSpecial Issues• Mothers and their children:–Over 60% of female inmates in state

prisons are mothers of minor children.–Nearly 58% do not see their children

during their sentence.–Birth in prison–90% of states offer parenting classes–75% provide special visiting areas–28% overnight visits–7% nurseries

Learning Objective 5Learning Objective 5Learning objective 5: Discuss the

problems women face when they are released to the community.

Problems Upon ReleaseProblems Upon ReleaseMost are poorHave lost custody of their

childrenHave serious health care needsHave extensive substance abuse

histories60 to 70% have nowhere to go

and have to find a place to live

Chapter ThirteenChapter Thirteen Institutional Institutional ManagementManagement

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives1. Be familiar with the principles used to

organize the functioning of prisons.2. Discuss the importance of prison

governance.3. Discuss the different job assignments

that correctional officers are given.4. Understand the negative

consequences of boundary violations and job stress among prison staff.

Learning Objective 1Learning Objective 1Learning objective 1: Be familiar

with the principles used to organize the functioning of prisons.

Concepts of OrganizationConcepts of Organization• Unity of command:–Subordinate should report to only one

supervisor• Chain of command:–A series of organizational positions in

order of authority, with each person receiving orders from the one immediately above and issuing orders to the one(s) immediately below.

• Span of control:–A supervisor can effectively oversee

only a limited number of subordinates.

Concepts of OrganizationConcepts of Organization• Line personnel:–Employees who are directly concerned

with furthering the institution’s goals and who are in direct contact with clients.• Custody force• Industry and agricultural supervisors• Counselors• Medical technicians

–Majority of personnel–Organized along military lines

Concepts of OrganizationConcepts of OrganizationStaff personnel:

◦Employees who provide services in support of line personnel; examples of staff personnel including training officers and accountants. Usually work under the deputy warden

for management

Concepts of OrganizationConcepts of OrganizationWarden

◦Chief executive of institution◦Institution’s main contact with the

outside world

Concepts of OrganizationConcepts of Organization

Learning Objective 2Learning Objective 2Learning objective 2: Discuss the

importance of prison governance.

Governing PrisonsGoverning PrisonsInmate balance theory:

◦For a prison system to operate effectively, officials must tolerate minor infractions, relax security measures, and allow inmate leaders to keep order.

Administrative control theory:◦Prison disorder results from

unstable, divided, or otherwise weak management.

Governing PrisonsGoverning PrisonsEffects of administrative

breakdown:◦Inmates believe their conditions of

confinement are not only bad, but unjust.

◦Officials become indifferent to routine security measures and day-to-day tasks of prison management.

◦Permits gangs and other illicit groups to flourish, may help mobilize disturbances.

Governing PrisonsGoverning PrisonsMost important factor in governing

prisons:◦Sound and firm management of inmates

and staff. Order

Absence of individual or group misconduct threatening the safety of others.

Amenity Anything that enhances the inmates’ creature

comforts.

Service Programs designed to improve the life prospects of

inmates.

Governing PrisonsGoverning PrisonsFour factors that make governing

prisons different from administering other public institutions:◦Defects of total power◦Limited rewards and punishment◦Co-optation of correctional officers◦Strength of inmate leadership

Governing PrisonsGoverning PrisonsAccommodative relationships

between officers and inmates:◦ Negotiations are central to prisoner

control, correctional officers cannot have total control over inmates.

◦ Once an officer defines a set of informal rules with prisoners, the rules must be respected by all parties.

◦ Some rule violations are “normal” and consequently do not merit officers’ attention or sanctioning.

Governing PrisonsGoverning PrisonsManagement is successful when

prison directors:◦ Are in office long enough to learn the job,

make plans, and implement them.◦ Project an appealing image to a wide range

of people, both inside and outside of the organization.

◦ Are dedicated and loyal to the department, seeing themselves as engaged in a noble and challenging profession.

◦ Are highly hands-on and proactive.

Learning Objective 3Learning Objective 3Learning objective 3: Discuss the

different job assignments that correctional officers are given

Correctional OfficersCorrectional OfficersBlock officer:

◦Closest contact with prisoners◦Oversee unit maintenance◦Watch for potential breaches of

security◦Handle inmates’ personal problems

and answer questions◦Enforce rules◦Inmate safety◦Carry out orders of warden

Correctional OfficersCorrectional OfficersWork detail supervisors:

◦ Supervise various work details connected with inmate labor.

◦ Inmate-officer relationship can be analogous to worker and foreman in a factory.

Industrial shop and school officers◦ Maintenance and security responsibilities◦ Work alongside civilians, shop supervisors,

teachers, and counselors.◦ Keep attendance

Correctional OfficersCorrectional OfficersYard officers:

◦Yard most unstructured environment in the prison

◦Supervising inmatesAdministration building

assignments:◦Very little contact with inmates◦Interact with administrators,

commissioner’s office, and civilians

Correctional OfficersCorrectional OfficersWall posts:

◦Towers◦Generally no contact with inmates◦Solitary and boring◦Typically new recruits

Relief officers:◦Variety of tasks, fill in vacancies of

other positions

Learning Objective 4Learning Objective 4Learning objective 4: Understand

the negative consequences of boundary violations and job stress among prison staff.

Boundary ViolationsBoundary ViolationsBehavior than blurs, minimizes,

or disrupts the social distance between prison staff and inmates, resulting in violations of departmental policy.◦One study found:

80% of violations involved dual-relationships, consensual

8 %, general boundary violations 12% staff-inmate sexual contact

Boundary ViolationsBoundary ViolationsViolations contribute to:

◦Disorder◦Potentially jeopardize officers’ safety◦Costly lawsuits

Job StressJob StressFactors:

◦ Relationships with co-workers◦ Departmental policies◦ Length of time on job

Consequences:◦ More sick time◦ More problems at home◦ Heart disease◦ Eating disorders◦ Substance abuse

Job StressJob StressAdvantages of reducing stress

and burnout:◦Financial savings◦Fewer resources expended

Overtime Hiring

◦Safety levels◦Staff morale