Introduction to Women in Corrections & Rehabilitation

Corrections and Rehabilitation is a complex, yet interesting topic in our society. however the public isn't always aware of this topic because it is not always highlighted in research, or the media.There are so many important issues a lot of which involves the Corrections and Rehabilitation aspects of thein our Criminal Justice System. Some of these topics include: prison overcrowding, the death penalty, prisons gangs, substance abuse, wrongful sentencing, and the recidivism rates are just some of the many issues in Americas prisons. However the female presence in the Criminal Justice System is underrepresented in the both media, and in the general public at hand.
Within the last twenty years the female presence in the Criminal Justice system has grown incredibly. More specifically the increase of females in Corrections and Rehabilitation –both throughemploymented, andas well as incarceratedion. Nevertheless, female’s experiences in the criminal justice system are not as representative as our male counterparts. Beginning in the 1970’s, in the US, women were being allowed to work as positions within the criminal justice system that were typically male dominated. Even today there are males, and females who believe that a women’s place in society does not involve working in typically male domination careers such as a correctional officer. That women working in those positions would be viewed merely as sex objects, and not physically nor mentally/psychologically capable of handling such a complex, and demanding career. Besides the increase of women working in the criminal justice field, women are also dramatically increasing in their incarceration rates.
“The female prison population grew by 832% from 1977 to 2007. The male prison population grew 416% during the same time period”. (WPAonline.org) Even though the female prison populations is still substantially smaller than male prison population, they are growing at an alarming rate than ever before. Women who are incarcerated tend to have histories of domestic abuse, substance abuse, and are non violent offenders. With better representation of these very different areas in Corrections and Rehabiliation in the United States, the public will have a better understanding which will therefore initate change, and positivity for the future of women in the Criminal justice System.I believe that by better media coverage and through education in schools, thepublic can be more educated on the both the progress and downfalls of women and their presence in corrections and rehabilitation in the US and ultimately around the world.