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11.8: Female Institutions

  • Page ID
    48445
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    Female Institutions

    When most female institutions were built they were built smaller than male institutions as it was assumed that fewer women would go to prison. Most female institutions are also minimum security and appear similar to college dorm. Because of their small size most female institutions are now overcrowded and many face a lack of treatment programs, education programs, or other rehabilitation efforts. If training is provided it typically focuses on “women’s work” such as cooking, cutting hair, and laundry services. The typical female inmate is young, previously physically or sexually abused, and an African-American or Native American. About three fourths of the female inmates have children that they had to leave and about 85% will return to their children after release.

    The female subculture tends to be less violent toward staff than the male inmates subculture. Instead, most female aggressive tendencies are toward themselves and their often higher instances of self-mutilation and suicide attempts. Many women will bond together and form a type of make-believe family while in the institution. Unlike many popular television shows, many of these family groups do not have a sexual orientation along with them.


    This page titled 11.8: Female Institutions is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Dr. Wendelin M. Hume & Sherina M. Hume.

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