| The purpose of this project is to examine the [social and economic] benefits of fostering alternative to incarceration programs, with specificity to minority, low level and nonviolent female (felony) offenders. Also, to explore the prospects of reducing the incarceration of non-violent felony female offenders through the use of cost effective, gender-responsive, and resourceful community based or diversion programs. This project serves to explore the prospect of whether these programs are more inclined to meet the mental, medical and socio-economic needs of female offenders than incarceration. Also, it serves to explore various diversion and alternative programs and to offer considerations for the differences between male and female realities as they relate to criminality; the different responses of the two genders, and how to better anticipate more successful outcomes. Some key issues of concern are the unique criminal characteristics and needs of female offenders, and other gender specific realities that affect women as offenders and inmates. |
