WOMEN IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM


The number of women in prison, a third of whom are incarcerated for drug offenses, is increasing at nearly double the rate for men. These women often have significant histories of physical and sexual abuse, high rates of HIV infection, and substance abuse. Large-scale women's imprisonment has resulted in an increasing number of children who suffer from their mother's incarceration and the loss of family ties.

 

Women in the Justice System News
February 1, 2010 (New Britain Herald)
Parents Behind Bars

The number of women who are being incarcerated nationwide has risen by 57 percent and 75 percent are mothers, the New Britain Herald reported. In Connecticut, 70 percent of juvenile detainees have parents who are incarcerated, according to the state’s court support services division. As a result, the impact of incarcerated parents was discussed at a day-long conference in an effort to identify the needs of children who are dealing with a parent who is, or has been, incarcerated and to examine ways to keep the connection between parent and child while separated.
November 19, 2009 (Crack the Disparity Coalition)
Crack the Disparity Coalition Publishes Fall Edition of Quarterly Newsletter

The Crack the Disparity Coalition has published the fall edition of its quarterly newsletter. Offering insight and updates on the push toward legislative reform of the crack cocaine sentencing disparity, articles in this edition highlight the upcoming Dec. 2 call-in day, review legislation introduced in the House and Senate, and feature advocacy efforts and support from the Administration and conservatives.


This newsletter is designed to keep advocates updated on news and events related to eliminating the crack cocaine disparity and the harsh mandatory minimums for low-level crack cocaine offenses. It can be accessed at www.crackthedisparity.com where additional advocacy resources and information can be found.
August 5, 2009
Online resource available for women in the criminal justice system

The National Directory of Programs for Women with Criminal Justice Involvement  is a free, online resource that offers nformation on programs and services nationally for women in the criminal justice system. This nationwide resource includes programs and services for women at all stages of criminal justice involvement, both in correctional facilities and in the community.
July 29, 2009
New book, "The Integration Debate," features chapter by Marc Mauer, executive director of The Sentencing Project

The newly published, "The Integration Debate," (Routledge, 2009) "explores both long-standing and emerging controversies over the nation's ongoing struggles with discrimination and segregation. More urgently, it offers guidance on how these barriers can be overcome to achieve truly balanced and integrated living patterns." The book covers policy analysis and reform strategies in the areas of school desegregation, housing market discrimination, health disparities, and other areas of social policy. "The Integration Debate" also features a closing essay on "The Legacy of Segregation: Smashing Through the Generations," by Roger Wilkins.
July 22, 2009 (USA Today, New York Times)
The Sentencing Project Releases National Report: 1 in 11 Prisoners Serving Life Sentences

A new report released by The Sentencing Project finds a record 140,610 individuals are now serving life sentences in state and federal prisons, 6,807 of whom were juveniles at the time of the crime. In addition, 29% of persons serving a life sentence (41,095) have no possibility of parole, and 1,755 were juveniles at the time of the crime. No Exit: The Expanding Use of Life Sentences in America represents the first nationwide collection of life sentence data documenting race, ethnicity and gender. The report's findings reveal overwhelming racial and ethnic disparities in the allocation of life sentences: 66% of all persons sentenced to life are non-white, and 77% of juveniles serving life sentences are non-white.
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