"A new approach to women behind bars"

[lumberjack_jeff]

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022187282_womensprisonxml.html

GIG HARBOR — When Jeannette Murphy first stepped onto the grounds of the Washington Corrections Center for Women 30 years ago, she recalls encountering tennis courts and what she terms the “patty-cake” treatment of inmates by prison staff.

Murphy, imprisoned for killing her parents in Thurston County, said inmates were treated more like troubled girls than convicts, even those like her who were doing lengthy stretches for murder.

But soon after, the treatment of female inmates drastically changed as prisons grew and administrators sought uniformity in inmates’ treatment regardless of gender. The women found themselves treated exactly like their male counterparts, from the clothes they wore to the way corrections officers dealt with them.

Now, with the growth of female inmates outpacing that of males and no space to house them, the state Department of Corrections (DOC) is shifting to more gender-specific treatment of incarcerated women. The changes range from simple — access to a fruity-smelling shampoo and better-fitting clothing, and special bras for inmates who’ve had mastectomies — to more substantive, such as greater focus on substance abuse and mental-health counseling.

The change reflects a recognition that gender dictates different treatment of inmates.

“It’s not a one-size-fits-all system,” said DOC Secretary Bernie Warner.

“The pathways coming to the system are different for women than men,” he said. “Men are incarcerated for criminal thinking and anti-social behavior. Women come in because of social influences and trauma.”

Noun, verb "patriarchy" adjective "privilege" verb adjective "men".

The last three sentences should serve as a working definition of institutional sexism.

[Warren DeMontague]

1. Wow. What an astoundingly broad statement about human behavior.

When men commit crimes, it's because they're bad people! When women commit crimes, obviously, it's because something bad happened to them.

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. An outlier. He's only the person in charge of corrections for the entire state after all. n/t

[MadrasT]

3. That is pretty appalling.

Dislike.

Massive broadbrushing going on, and women do not merit special treatment in prison (or anywhere else).

Equality means equality.

What the fuck do they need special shampoo for? It is prison, not a spa.

Unless somebody is having a baby, gender does not dictate shit.

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. The rest of the article doesn't get any better.

equality: it's what I'm on about.

If changing the conditions of incarceration affect rates of recidivism, I'm generally in favor. The presumption that incarcerated men don't have victimization in their background and would therefore not benefit from comparable supports is silly.

[MadrasT]

7. Right, I hear you.

I am not against improvements that are a) generally humane and b) make sense, but doing it because vaginas?

<headdesk>

If some prisoners need certain supports because of the conditions that led to their incarceration, let's give itt to all who have that need. Basing on gender is worse than silly, it is reprehensible.

[Upton]

4. Another day, another example..

of "male privilege"....isn't it grand?

[Major Nikon]

8. Men get beaten to death for small infractions by militarized correction officers

Women get perfumed shampoos.

Yet we are to believe one of those deserves it and the other is a victim of circumstance.

Makes perfect sense.

[Upton]

9. Not to worry..

we have feminist advocacy organizations looking out for the best interests of men.

I'm sure they'll be complaining about the disparity in treatment anytime now...

[Major Nikon]

10. Good point

Feminists routinely remind us that men have no business dictating public policy for women, so it just makes sense they have no business dictating public policy for men either.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

5. My guess is that this story will be spun to say....

....women don't want fruity smelling shampoo and the "better fitting clothing" is probably some grand objectification conspiracy by, you know, The Patriarchy.