Keeping Women Out of Prison

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Table of Contents

Pre-release Programs
Substance Abuse program
College programs
Occupational Therapy
Drama Therapy
Conclusion
References

It is disappointing when reports of women who return to prison after their release surface. This trend has been in existence for sometime, and this paper will offer solutions to the peril. Traditionally, prison facilities were introduced to reprimand wrong- doing by inflicting discomfort or pain on the offenders (Zaitow, & Thomas, 2003). This has changed, and prison is no longer known for inflicting brutal punishments. It currently works on a person’s mind and body, to punish the offender thus dissuading them from repeating the offence by overseeing their apt reentry into the society.

Theoretically, jails are supposed to; ensure security for all offenders thus improving the welfare of the confines with maximum effectiveness and economy. By confining inmates, they are kept in a restricted environment hence limited psychological freedom. Simulations have shown that lockups are dehumanizing since prisoners feel rejected and damned by the entire society.

Female offenders find it harder to cope after incarceration than their male counterparts. They are stigmatized, and are often dismissed despite the genuine efforts they make to change. Several of them fail to find a well-paying and respectable job thus lack means of livelihood (Zaitow, & Thomas, 2003). This underscores the importance of specialized rehabilitation programs and therapy that empower inmates in their quest for fresh beginnings. This is in addition to keeping them away from the lure of reverting back to their former detrimental ways. Each program or therapy targets a specific group, with the definite need of reform consequently adapting to life outside prison.

Pre-release Programs

Incarcerated women pose a myriad of challenges for their family and friends upon their release. This occurs mostly because significant proportions leave without undergoing meaningful transformation (Alarid, Cromwell, & Del Carmen, 2007). Once they get back home, they are obliged to contend with the reasons that sent them to prison and the stigma. Most of these women neither have homes nor food, and some are short of finances to cater for basic needs.

Pre-release plans refer to an assortment of social and community based activities tailored to ensure inmates seamlessly transit back into society, upon release. The inmates are expected to take on different jobs and volunteer for existing opportunities. It is noteworthy that counseling services constitute an important part of the process (Alarid, Cromwell, & Del Carmen, 2007). In the course of implementation, the prisoners should be screened personally to establish their dynamic individual needs. This helps the counselors and facilitating organizations plan adequately and group appropriately. Special sessions are to be held for inmates to align them with different society service ventures and specialized instructions.

Peer counselors should form part of the workers since they will be required to continually counsel the inmate and prepare her for life outside the precincts of jail. Inmates with specialized needs arising from HIV, drug problems and many others should be accorded special attention. Based on their assessment, the counselors are to suggest and supervise service programs the inmates undertake. They should also collaborate with prison release entities, to provide essential healthcare and other inmate needs (Zaitow, & Thomas, 2003). Women stayed in prison for sometime and feel the urge to help others can also sign counselors. Case managers should help in determining targets for the inmates after carefully studying the prisoner information.

Substance Abuse program

Regardless of the large number of prisoners experiencing drug problems; hardly any receive help from prison authorities. Nearly two thirds of child neglect cases and violent crime are aftermaths of drug abuse (Zaitow, & Thomas, 2003). This program should be voluntary for the inmates, unless deemed mandatory by the enormity of the mistake. This is so because jail birds, who volunteer, acknowledge they need help hence they take the program seriously. The inmate may undertake the program alone or with her family. Incorporating the latter is important because it makes her feel comfortable and also provides the required moral support.

These programs should be conducted by experienced clinicians, with supervision from prison authorities. The set of courses should be set at appropriate study levels, with clearly stipulated rules and regulations. This ensures learning by creating a classroom environment consequently forcing the facilitator to adhere to the course (Zaitow, & Thomas, 2003). The time per gathering and duration of the program will be determined by the severity of the prisoner’s offence and the success rate of the program. Once a standard curriculum has been established, it may be slightly altered to suit the requirements of different groups. This will be done based on the gravity of their offence and their duration of stay in the facility.

Suitable inducement and punishment should also be formulated, to infuse organization and seriousness in the inmate’s life. Retribution can be meted out in different ways, like asking the convict to give up the program, or depriving them of certain profit. It will be done to ensure inmates are taught from an experience they undergo (Zaitow, & Thomas, 2003). Rewards may vary, including class seniority, respect from both tutors and peers, and many others deemed fit, and will be issued to show the inmate has put in effort consequently overcoming her dependence. It is notable that confidentiality is paramount. In case, the participants cannot trust their counterparts and the facilitator, they will not open up and embrace the process wholly, rendering it ineffective.

College programs

In referring to a Meta-Analysis study carried out in 1990-1999, in six prison centers with colleges across the US, participants of college plans had a recidivating rate of 22%, upon comparison to 41% of non-participants (New York Nonprofit Press, 2009). Despite the general feeling, that convicted felons should not be educated with tax, the program was useful thus recording numerous successes.

College programs should be reintroduced, because education not only gives inmates hope for a good life after incarceration but also attempts to even the playing ground. This may enable them to get employment since some organizations may be willing to overlook their criminal records. They also maintained order by occupying the bright and active inmates who had a tendency of creating problems for the warders.

It is important to note that deficiencies in their educational background should be bridged first before specialized skills are imparted onto the trainees, through prison industries, apprenticeships and other similar ventures. Know-how in reading is also mandatory before specialized training commences, so is writing. It is reported that there is a deficiency of skilled labor force in the job market today (New York Nonprofit Press, 2009). This provides the perfect opportunity for absorption of inmates who successfully undergo the process. A woman arrested for prostitution and incarcerated in a facility with continuing college program has little chance of reverting back to her old ways. She will leave prison with the relevant qualifications and knowledge that will enable her get employment. Overall, this makes her transition back into the society smoother.

Consequently, the administration/government should formulate directives to facilitate the revival of college education for inmates. Financial assistance should be provided to enable prison facilities and participating institutions gain access to the relevant materials necessary for this program.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists are useful since they work with different categories of persons, to ensure their well being by engaging in meaningful occupation. Occupation draws reference from procedures employed in taking care of ourselves by social and economic output in various milieus, over an entire lifespan. Occupations influence and determine how we feel about ourselves (Christiansen, Baum& Haugen, 2005). The inmates should be helped to understand that the day of their release represents a new dawn in their lives. They should embrace the opportunity and exploit it to craft variations in their lives. It is important that they understand success is only achievable if they take up the skills they acquired while serving time and put them to good use. They should realize that since all occupations are goal-oriented, they require talent, skills and patience in order to attain satisfactory results (Christiansen, Baum& Haugen, 2005).

Drama Therapy

It refers to communicative therapy available to both individuals and groups, with the aim of enhancing good health and progress by employing theatre methodologies. Inmates should be encouraged to communicate through different forms, like poems, music, acting and many other thespian acts (Zaitow, & Thomas, 2003). This initiative will not only serve as a recreational activity but also illuminate talented inmates. Overall, they will benefit from the exposure and specialized programs designed for them. The inmates may also be given educational material to dramatize or recite

Conclusion

It is important to realize that whatever happens to inmates once they leave correctional facilities can neither be premeditated nor controlled. Most recidivating cases occur due to the lack of mechanism by which released inmates can be assimilated into society. Other instances arise because prisons fail in reforming offenders, and thus they end up as hardened criminals.

It is worth mentioning that everyone can change when they sacrifice and receive the required help. We must put in enough effort to ensure that the prison atmosphere is altered to ensure we achieve the objectives we had as a society when establishing those institutions.

References

Alarid, L. F. Cromwell, P. F. & Del Carmen, R. V. (2007). Community-Based Corrections. Ohio: Cengage Learning

Christiansen, C. H., Baum, C. M. & Haugen, G. B. (2005). Occupational therapy performance, participation, and well-being. New Jersey: Slack Incorporated.

New York non profit press. (2009). College Programs in Prison Reduce Recidivism. NYNP. Web.

Zaitow, B. H. & Thomas, J. (2003) Women in prison: gender and social control. Colorado. Lynne Rienner Publishers.

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