“So Tell Me, Why Do Women Need Something Different?”

SUMMARY

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of women in the criminal justice system over the past two decades, creating the need for gender-specific responses and programs in jails, prisons, and community corrections. Systems must adapt to appropriately respond to women and their families. Institutions and community-based organizations must help women to deal with their histories of trauma, violence, and substance abuse. One gender-specific, strength-based, community model for support is presented.

Key Words:

• Women and criminal justice system
• women and community re-entry
• women and community corrections