Number of Incarcerated Women, Girls Jumps 700 Percent

[DonViejo]

Source: Newsweek Magazine




BY GILLIAN EDEVANE ON 5/10/18 AT 4:20 PM

The number of incarcerated girls and women has skyrocketed from roughly 26,500 in 1980 to 214,000 in 2016, growing at nearly twice the rate of male imprisonment in the United States, according to a report released on Wednesday.

Compiled by The Sentencing Project, a D.C.-based organization for criminal justice reform, the report states that the nearly 700 percent increase is due to a complex web of factors, including strengthened drug sentencing laws and barriers to re-entry. Prison reform advocates have said that more research is needed to understand how those barriers can be addressed within the general female population.

Nicole Porter, the director of advocacy for the project, told Newsweek that the ability to connect with a supportive community or family is especially important for women hoping to re-integrate.

"Being reconnected with family, particularly family that can support a woman re-entering back, is critical," Porter said. “Many women are guardians or mothers at the point of arrest. Reconnecting them to their children can strongly help them get the social support they need and encourage a strong re-entry.”

Read more: http://www.newsweek.com/women-girls-black-white-hispanic-prison-jail-skyrockets-920436

[chowder66]

1. Because women vote more than men. nt

[McKim]

2. Private Prsions are a Great Investment Sector

Private prisons are a growing investment sector. It’s a way to make money off of poor people and minority people while removing them from the voter rolls. Once you follow the money, you can understand a lot more.

[flibbitygiblets]

3. Bingo. Poor women, women with mental and substance abuse problems. Prisons are full of them

Especially if they happen to be women of color, but plenty of poor white women also.

This is unacceptable.

[TheFrenchRazor]

4. US has 5% of world population but 25% of prisoners, or somewhere thereabout; the US is nothing

nothing but a banana republic police state. the "war on drugs" in particular is a giant government scam to control and terrorize the masses, while enriching the 1%.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

5. Very sad situation.

From my experience, women who have been jailed have a for more difficult time being accepted and becoming reintegrated back into society than men. The scarlet letter of prison time seems to be almost indelible for life, and we don't do nearly enough to help these females to become successful in life.

Those with children in particular should receive support, although tRump's budget will probably cut any previous efforts in that direction. Many state and local efforts in these areas are weak or non-existent.

In addition, many areas in the U.S. are very lacking in providing good public defenders so that many - both men and women - are jailed unnecessarily.

We can all help by contributing time and money to local shelters and half-way houses and other charities with that benefit troubled women and their families. We can also pressure our legislators to provide improved public defense offices.

........

[catsudon]

6. well that explains

the popularity of the show "orange is the new black"