Imprisoned Drug Offenders in Taiwan: A Gender-Based Analysis

Abstract

Using data collected from a 1999 nationwide survey of 700 incarcerated drug users in Taiwan, this article compares gender differences with respect to childhood experiences, family characteristics, drug use patterns, and criminal histories. The results from both bivariate and logistic regression analyses document some gender differences and offer tentative support for feminist views. Overall, female drug offenders in Taiwan were more likely to have spouses with alcohol or drug use-associated problems, experience physical or sexual abuse, grow up in non-two-parent households, and hold temporary and stereotypical female jobs, including prostitution. Compared to men, although female drug offenders reported earlier involvement in criminal activities, they were less violent and had fewer prior arrests. As for sources, women relied on friends or acquaintances to procure their drugs. No gender differences were identified with respect to illicit drug type or duration and frequency of use.

• Survey
• Drug abuse
• Drug use
• Drug offenders
• Gender-based analysis
• Feminist views
• Taiwan

Resumen

Usando datos recogidos en 1994 en un nivel nacional sobre drogodelincuentes encarcelados en Taiwán, este articulo compara la diferencia entre géneros con respecto a las experiencias en la niñez, las características de la familia, los modelos del uso de las drogas, y los antecedentes penales. El resultado de los análisis bivariante y regresión logística, a la vez, demuestra algunas diferencias entre los géneros y también ofrece un apoyo no definitivo a la perspectiva feminista. Sobretodo, es probable que las drogodelincuentes en Taiwán que tengan un cónyuge que tiene problemas con las drogas o el alcohol, sufren del abuso sexual o abuso físico, se criaban en una casa con solamente un padre, y mantengan un trabajo estereotipicamente femenino, incluyendo la prostitución. Comparado con los hombres, las mujeres delincuentes reportan la participación con actividades criminales mas temprano, pero su participación resulta en menos detenciones y sus actividades criminales son menos violentas. Las mujeres dependen de amigos o conocidos para obtener sus drogas. No identificamos ninguna diferencia entre los géneros con respecto a drogas ilícitas o la duratión y frecuencia del uso.

Rèsumè

Utilisant des donnees collectees a partir d’un sondage de sept cent (700) prisonniers incarceres pour drogue a Taiwan en 1999, cet article compare les differences de sexe en tenant compte des experiences de 1’enfance, des characteristiques familiales, le shema d’utilisation de drogue et du passe criminel. Le resultat des deux, bivariation et les analyses de regression logistiques, montre les differences de sexe et offre des tentatives de support pour les points de vue feministes. En general, les delinquants de drogue de sexe feminin, a Taiwan, sont plus enclines d’avoir des epoux ayant des problemes d’alcool ou de drogue, d’experimenter des abus physiques on sexuels, de grandir dans un foyer avec un seul parent et de tenir, temporairement, un emploi stereotype pour les femmes, incluant la prostitution. Comparees aux hommes, quoique les delinquants de drogue de sexe feminin presentaient des implications plus precoces dans les activites criminelles, elles etaient moins violentes et avaient moins d’arrestations anterieures. Comme sources, les femmes comptaient sur les amis on sur les connaissances pour se procurer leurs drogues. Aucune difference de sexe n’a ete identifiee concernant le type de drogue illicite ou 1a duree et les frequences d’utilisation.

Notes

^aThis figure was obtained through personal communication with staff members in the Personal Affair Division, R. O. C. National Police Administration.

^bThe three female prisons were also geographically dispersed: one in the north, one in the middle, and one in the south of Taiwan. Although the majority of female prisoners were housed in these three female prisons, some female prisoners were housed in segregated areas within male prisons.

^cThis survey is part of a two-year study of drug-user offenders in Taiwan. The goals of the larger project include an evaluation of prison-based drug-user treatment programs. The sample was interviewed again 12 months after their release from prison. Thus, to ensure enough of a sample for postrelease interviews, this article focused on those who were about to be released from the prison.

^dDuring the earlier analyses, several plots of diagnostic statistics such as Cook's distance, leverage against the case ID number were generated, and three outliers were identified and sequentially excluded from the final analysis. The first outlier reported 11 prior arrests and the other two outliers reported their first drug use at ages 43 and 57, respectively. These values deviated extremely from sample means. Several bivarate analyses were performed to see if there were any significant differences between missing and nonmissing data in regard to sociodemographic characteristics. Of 21 variables examined, 15 of them showed no significant differences. These characteristics included education, living arrangement while growing up, employment status, type of occupation, histories of drug use, alcohol use, criminal involvement, physical/sexual abuse, histories of drug and alcohol use of immediate family member, and contacts with people outside the prison. However, there were six variables showing statistically significant differences at the 0.05 level. When compared to those in the nonmissing data group, drug-user offenders in the missing-data group were about 2 years younger and more likely to be single. Their involvement with drugs and the criminal justice system were 2 to 3 years earlier. They also reported having fewer children and lower monthly incomes.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Furjen Deng

Furjen Deng received her Ph.D. in Sociology from the Department of Sociology at Purdue University. She is currently Professor in the Department of Sociology at Sam Houston State University. Her research interests include cross-cultural crime, environmental justice, and social impact assessment.

Michael S. Vaughn

Michael S. Vaughn received his Ph.D. from the College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University. He is currently Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Criminal Justice at Georgia State University. His research interests include legal issues in criminal justice and cross-cultural crime and social control.

Lou-Jou Lee

Lou-Jou Lee received his Ph.D. from the College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University. He currently serves as the Deputy Chief of the Juvenile Police Corp in the Taipei Metropolitan Police Department, Taiwan. His main responsibilities include preventing and investigating juvenile crime, promoting juvenile laws, maintaining campus safety, inspecting youth gathering places, and locating school “dropouts.”