Service Needs for Incarcerated Adults: Exploring Gender Differences

Abstract

Although men comprise the largest segment of the jail population, women are entering jails at increasingly higher rates than men. Previous research has found that incarceration is associated with multiple factors, including homelessness, substance use disorders, and mental illness, however, gender differences in services needs for female and male inmates is understudied. This study explores gender differences among a representative sample of incarcerated individuals (n = 725) from a Midwestern, urban jail. Women in the sample presented with higher rates of homelessness prior to incarceration, anticipated postincarceration homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorder, and trauma histories than men, as well as higher rates of multiple and co-occurring risk factors. These findings point to the need for social work interventions initiated at jail intake. Such interventions could impact parenting, housing stability, and mental health and prevent future incarceration, reoffending and relapse for this high-risk population of women.

KEYWORDS:

• female offenders
• gender specific
• jail
• mental health
• substance abuse
• trauma
• treatment needs

Notes

Note. Trauma history is defined as experiencing sexual or physical assault within the past year.

*p < .05; **p < .001; ***p < .000.

Note. Risk factors include trauma history, substance use disorder, serious mental illness, and homeless post incarceration.

^a A total of 235 men (47.5%) responded to the questions of postrelease needs.