Evidence-based Gender-sensitive Programming

Corinne Datchi-PhillipsCenter for Adolescent &

Family StudiesIndiana University

Amber FinneganJefferson County

PREVALENCE & GROWTH RATEThe female offender population

Female offenders• Women and girls constitute a smaller

but growing segment of the offender population.– The majority of offenders serving prison

terms or under community supervision are male.

–However, the number of women involved in the criminal justice system is growing at a faster rate than that of men (Institute on women & criminal justice)

Female Offenders• Women in the criminal justice system

– Fastest growing segment of correctional population• 757% increase between 1977 and 2004, twice as much as the 388%

increase for men serving a sentence in prison• In 2004, 1 in 8 parolees and 1 in 4 probationers were women.

(Institute on Women & Criminal Justice; Justice Policy Institute, 1999; Lovins et al., 2007)

1978 1997 200405

10

Percent of incarcerated women (over age 18)

Female Offenders• Women in the criminal justice system

– In Indiana, the number of incarcerated women (over age 18) has increased dramatically (from 5 per 100,000 in 1977 to 59 per 100,000 in 2004)

• Percent increase 1977-2004: 1,347 % compared to 757% national rate• Percent increase 1999-2004: 54%• Female/male ratio:

– 26 male for every female prisoner in 1977– 13 male for every female prisoner in 2004

(Institute on Women & Criminal Justice)

1977 20040

40

80

Female Offenders• Women in the criminal justice system

– Increasing number of women (over age 18) on probation and parole nation-wide

• In 2004, 1 in every 8 adults on parole & 1 in every 4 adults on probation were women.

(Probation & Parole in the US 2008, Bureau of Justice Statistics, December 2009; National Criminal Justice Reference Service)

1995 2000 2004 20080

10

20

30

ProbationParole

Female Offenders• Girls in the criminal justice system– 29% of all juvenile arrests in 2005

• 34% of all juvenile arrests for Property Crime Index offenses

• 18% of all juvenile arrests for Violent Crime Index offenses

• 24% of all juvenile arrests for aggravated assault

• 33% of all juvenile arrests for simple assault

Female offenders• Girls in the criminal justice system

– While the number of all juvenile arrests has decreased between 1996 & 2005, the number of girls arrested for simple assault has increased. (Office of Justice Programs, 2008)

Aggra-vated

Assault

Simple Assault

Violent Crime Index

All crimes

-40-30-20-10

0102030

Percent Change in male & female ju-venile arrests for violent crimes

(1996-2005)

GirlsBoys

Female Offenders• Girls in the criminal justice system– Between 1990 & 1999, 50% increase in the

number of girls in detention (4% increase for boys)

– Girls represented 19% of all juvenile offenders in residential placement in 2001• 24% of girls detained for technical violations• 43% of girls detained for status offenses

(Sherman, 2005)

Important Questions• Are there differences between

female and male offenders?• Are correctional systems (e.g.,

community corrections, probation, and parole) designed to adequately respond to the particular risks and needs of female offenders?

GENDER DIFFERENCESThe female offender population

Gender Differences• Different patterns of criminality (Sherman, 2005)

– Most arrests of female youths are for prostitution (67% of all juvenile arrests in 2002) and runaways (60% of all juvenile arrests in 2002).• Running away from family violence, sexual or physical abuse

– Most girls in residential facilities are detained for status offenses and technical violations.• Girls spend more time in detention although they may have

committed fewer, less severe crimes than their male counterparts.

• Detention may be used to protect girls from further victimization; to obtain services for girls with special needs; or to prevent teen pregnancy (paternalistic approach to the sentencing of girls).

Gender differences• Different patterns of violence (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1999;

Office of Justice Programs, 2008)– Women and girls account for 14% of all violent offenders (1

out of 7 violent offenders)• 28% of all female violent offenders are juveniles

– 3 out of 4 violent crimes committed by women and girls are simple assaults, most often against other women.• 1 in 2 violent crimes committed by male offenders

– 62% of violent women offenders knew their victim.• 36% of violent male offenders• Family member, usually the mother, is the second most common

target of violent behaviors for girls (20.2% of girls v. 5.7% of boys)

• In many cases, women tend to engage in violent acts against an abusive spouse, ex-spouse, or partner (Covington, 2001).

Gender differences• Different patterns of violence (Bureau

of Justice Statistics, 1999; Office of Justice Programs, 2008)– 40% of women offenders were under

the influence of drugs, alcohol or both.• Same rate for men

–Half of the female violent offenders engaged in physical aggression at or near the victim’s house or at school.• Less than 1/3 of male violent offenders

Gender Differences• Pathways to criminal activity for women and

girls: A matter of survival (Stalans, 2009; van Wormer, 2010)– Interpersonal victimization

• 80 of female prisoners & 40% of women offenders have a history of interpersonal victimization – sexual or/and physical abuse as children (sexual abuse is more

prevalent among girls)» Trauma Internalizing and externalizing symptoms in girls

(e.g., depression, aggression)– Intimate partner violence as adults

• Interpersonal victimization appears to be a key factor in female delinquency, addiction & criminality (Covington, 2001)– It has adverse effects on the psychological and social functioning

of female offenders and is related to the initiation of drug use as a coping strategy.

Gender Differences• Risk factors for women & girls

– Victimization– Mental health (e.g., depression, PTSD, self-mutilation)– Self-esteem– Parental stress

• 70% of women probationers are the primary caretakers of young children.

– Relationship dysfunction• Relationships with family members, partners, friends that lead to

criminal involvement (e.g., supporting partner’s drug addiction through prostitution)

– Substance use• The relation between women’s substance use and criminality is

very strong.– 80% of women in prison have substance-related problems.– 1 in 3 women in state prison engaged in criminal activities to support

their drug use.

Gender Differences• Implications for treatment– Effective gender-responsive programming

specifically address female risk factors such as trauma, drug addiction, dysfunctional relationships

– Effective gender-responsive programming for women also include a community-based system of support that provides assistance with housing, family reunification, parenting, employment/education• Link women with community resources

GENDER-SPECIFIC PROGRAMS

The female offender population

Gender-Specific Programs• Girls & women in the criminal

justice system have needs different from male offenders.

• However, adult and juvenile corrections is male-centered …– Facilities and interventions designed for

male offenders– A few treatment programs specifically

address the needs of women.

Gender-specific Programs• Women Offender Case Management Model (WOCMM)• La Bodega de la Familia

– Involves women offenders and their family– Successful in reducing recidivism and illegal drug use

• Beyond Trauma: A Healing Journey for Women (Stephanie Covington)– Psychoeducational and cognitive approach

• Educate women about trauma• Helping Women Recover: A Program for Treating

Addiction (Stephanie Covington)

(Gehring & Bauman, 2009)

Gender-specific Programs• Seeking Safety (Lisa Najavits)

– Not specifically designed for women– Trauma, PTSD, substance abuse– The most studied program with a record of positive outcomes (e.g.,

improved psychological functioning, social adjustment, quality of life, problem solving)

• Forever Free– Substance abuse treatment with emphasis on relapse prevention– One program evaluation with the following outcomes: less drug use, less

recidivism• Female Offender Treatment and Employment Programs (FOTEP)

– Intensive case management, vocational and family services– Results of an ongoing program evaluation have shown that offenders who

complete the program are less likely to return to prison.• Moving On (Marilyn van Dieten)

– To learn more about it … Amber Finnegan, Jefferson County, IN

Moving On

A cognitive program for women involved in the criminal justice

system

Subject overview• Program philosophy and guiding

principles• Explanation of Modules • Implementation• Challenges with programs• Success with program • Recommendations

Program Philosophy• A gender-responsive program that is based on

theory and research concerned with women• The overarching goal of the program includes

the reduction of criminal behavior as well as increasing the health and well being of women, their families, and the community

• The development of the program was influenced by 3 approaches:

1. Relational Theory2. Motivational Interviewing3. Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention

Relational Theory• Suggests that the social, emotional and behavioral

problems faced by women can often be traced to disconnections or violations within relationships (family, personal acquaintances or in society)

• Assists women to build healthy relationships by 1. Creating an environment that is supportive,

respectful, accepting and challenging2. Introducing women to new options and

opportunities3. Giving women the opportunity to make

meaningful and responsible choices

Motivational Interviewing• Built into program delivery scripts• Listening skills are demonstrated

through out program• Eliminates judgment and criticism• “What’s in it for me”• Participants decide what they want

to change and how• Stages of change and goals

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy

• Exercises are based upon this approach

• Past Behavior• Past consequences (good or bad)• Choose new behavior• Possible consequences (good or

bad)• Reflection Logs (Thinking reports) • Role Plays

Guiding Principles1) Relational2) Strength-based (protective factors)3) Trauma-informed4) Respectful of differences5) Enhance Motional and Self-Efficacy6) Build formal and informal supports7) Provide a framework for continuous services8) Work collaboratively to establish program

outcomes9) Evaluation

Module 1 – Orientation• Program description• Assessments• Feedback from facilitator to client

- What about me-What’s in it for me

• Personal Change Plan– Vision of Success (personal, family,

community, vocational)– Portfolio

Module 2: Listening and Being Heard

• I am listening– How to Listen– Asking Questions– Did I get that right?

• Expressing my wants and needs- What is assertive communication- Styles of communication

• Saying “no”– Dealing with pressure– Dealing with someone who is angry

• Taking the Sting out of Criticism– Dealing with criticism and giving feedback

• Win-Win: The Art of Negotiating-Negotiating practice

Module 3: Building Healthy Relationships• What is a healthy relationship

– Who is important in my life– Intimate relationships– Vision of an ideal intimate relationship

• What do I really want in a relationship– Listening to my intuition– My personal want ad– when are we vulnerable

• Relationships: What can I do without- Causes and consequences of abuse- Understanding domestic violence- Self-soothing

• Making the decision to Leave– Get out when things get tough– A social action project

• What I bring to friendship– Zooming in on positives– Letting go– What I bring and need to do more of

Module 4: Expressing Emotions• Exploring Feelings

- Emotions – what are they and where do they come from- Six core feelings-What happens when you feel-Emotional SOS Scale

• Reacting to the outside world- Listening to my body-My External Triggers-Signals from my body-Bringing the outside in

• Listening to my inner messages- In inner message-Harmful self-talk and emotions-Developing a peaceful scene

• Challenging harmful self-talk- My harmful self-talk-Challenging and changing harmful self-talk-abdominal breathing

• Celebrating emotions-Relaxation -Challenging Self-Criticism-Celebrating emotions

Module 5: Making Connections• My family

– What family means to me– How families influence us– 2 important TIPS for parents

• The family challenge– Family challenges– My vision of success:family

• My career: What I want and what I can do– My Personal strengths– Career Challenge– My vision of Success: Career– My resume

• My community: Leisure and finances– A typical day– My leisure interest– How much money do I need

• Community Challenge– Budgeting for a windfall or crisis– The community challenge– Reviewing your collage

Module 6: Making Healthy Choices• Challenging Common Myths and Stereotypes

– Is that really try and does it impact me– Media has spoken– Body image

• Learning to love my body– Redefining my body image – Respecting my body

• What about drugs– Costs and benefits of drug use– Looking at my behavior

• Growing happier and healthier– Leave your stress at the door– The symptom checklist– Coping with stress– Creating your own stress reducer

• It’s all about me– Where “I” fit in my vision of success– What am I thinking– Writing my story

Module 7: My transitions• Transitions– Goals and objectives– Quality assurance of program

• Assessment– Post assessments

• Achievements• Maintenance

Implementation• Program is now owned by Hazleton • Author owns training rights• Any women involved in the criminal

justice system and through assessment has issues in any modules (22 or higher on LSI) Adults

• Girls Moving On (girls ages 14-22)• 1 time per week for 2.5 hours

Challenges• Long program (30 weeks) – high

unsuccessful completion• Not enough time• Participants getting off subject• Participants not completing

assignments• Lack of referrals

Solutions• Open program – participants can come in at the

beginning of any module • If miss more than 2x per module, can stop and make

that module up next time and start in the next module

• Do reflection logs last• Constantly keep ladies on subject/re-divert• Give praise/treats/gifts to those who do get work

done• Address it right away• Send reminder e-mails, look through rosters and pick

out possible referrals and talk with case manager

Success• Higher graduation level• Reduction of risk according to the

LSI-R• Program measurements are given

through out the program• Evaluations are given at the end of

each module.

Recommendations• Should be used in addition to

other services (substance abuse treatment, family/individual counseling, mental health counseling, anger management)

• No more than 10 participants• Co-facilitator

References• Gehring, K. & Bauman, A. (2009). Gender-responsive

programming: Promising approaches. Available at http://nicic.gov/Library/023741

• Institute on Women & Criminal Justice. The punitiveness report. Available at www.wpaonline.org/institute/hardhit/part1.htm#np

• Lovins, L. B., Lowenkamp, C. T., Latessa, E. J., & Smith, P. (2007). Application of the risk principle to female offenders. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 23, 383-398.

• National Criminal Justice Reference Service. Women & girls in the criminal justice system-Facts and figures. Available at www.ncjrs.gov/spotlight/wgcjs/facts.html

References• Office of Justice Programs. (2009). Probation & Parole in

the United States, 2008. Available at www.ojp.usdoj.gov• Office of Justice Programs, Girls Study Group. (2008).

Violence by teenage girls: Trends & Context. Available at www.ojp.usdoj.gov

• Sherman, F. T. (2005). Pathways to juvenile detention reform: Detention reform and girls. Baltimore: MD: Annie E. Casey Foundation. Available at www.aecf.org/upload/publicationfiles/jdai_pathways_girls.pdf

• Van Wormer, K. (2010). Working with female offenders: A gender-sensitive approach. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.