Mental health among female offenders in the United States information
Women in American prisons encounter numerous difficulties that often involve mental health problems, drug and alcohol issues, and trauma. These challenges not only make navigating the criminal justice system more difficult for women but also highlights broader societal issues such as, gender-based violence, economic inequalities, and lack of mental health support.[1] People in prison are more likely than the general United States population to have received a mental disorder diagnosis, and women in prison have higher rates of mental illness and mental health treatment than do men in prison. Furthermore, women in prisons are three times more likely than the general population to report poor physical and mental health.[2] Women are the fastest growing demographic of the United States prison population.[3] As of 2019, there are about 222,500 women incarcerated in state and federal prisons in the United States.[4] Women comprise roughly 8% of all inmates in the United States.[5] This surge is largely attributed to the rising use of imprisonment for drug-related offenses rather than violent crimes. A considerable portion of incarcerated women are serving time for drug-related offenses, with the proportion increasing significantly between 1986 and 1991. Even among those in maximum security facilities, a majority are not imprisoned for violent felonies. The data also reveal that in states like New York, a substantial proportion of incarcerated women are serving time for drug-related offenses, with a smaller percentage incarcerated for violent crimes or property offenses.[6]
In 2011, 11% of male inmates had an overnight hospital stay due to psychiatric problems, while the proportion of women who did was roughly twice that of men. In 2010, 73% of incarcerated women and 55% of incarcerated men self-reported mental health problems.[7] This statistic accounts for the reporting of at least one of two criteria, as a self-reported mental or emotional problem, or a reported overnight hospital stay. Women who end up in prison often have different backgrounds and experiences compared to men. Unfortunately, many women experience further violence while in prison, which is a significant concern for their well-being. According to international human rights law, it is the responsibility of the State to prevent and address violence against women in all contexts, including prisons.[8] The most common mental health problems among incarcerated women are substance abuse/dependence, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Other common disorders include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and dysthymia.[9]
^Starr-Sered, Susan and Maureen Norton-Hawk. 2014. Can't Catch a Break: Gender, Jail, Drugs and the Limits of Personal Responsibility. Berkeley: University of California Press.
^Hall, Martin T., Seana Golder, Cynthia L. Conley, and Susan Sawning. 2012. "Designing Programming and Interventions for Women in the Criminal Justice System." American Journal of Criminal Justice 38(1):27–50.
^"Incarcerated Women and Girls". The Sentencing Project. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
^"Prisoners in 2019". Bureau of Justice Statistics. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
^Browne, Angela; Miller, Brenda; Maguin, Eugene (May 1999). "Prevalence and Severity of Lifetime Physical and Sexual Victimization Among Incarcerated Women". International Journal of Law and Psychiatry. 22 (3–4): 301–322. doi:10.1016/s0160-2527(99)00011-4. ISSN 0160-2527. PMID 10457926.
^Cite error: The named reference :11 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cobbina-Dungy, Jennifer E. (June 2022). "Bringing the "Invisible Population" to Light: Justice for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women". Violence Against Women. 28 (8): 1809–1823. doi:10.1177/10778012221085995. ISSN 1077-8012. PMID 35475657.
^Visher, Christy A., and Nicholas W. Bakken. 2014. "Reentry Challenges facing Women with Mental Health Problems." Women and Health 54(8): 768-780.
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