Gender-specific therapy effectiveness for incarcerated women

Gender-Specific Therapy for Women Prisoners

RESEARCH QUESTION AND JUSTIFICATION

On average, women make up about 7% of the total federal and state incarcerated population in the United States. This has increased since the 1980s due to stricter and more severe laws that focus on recreational drug use, a lack of community programs, and fewer treatment centers available for outpatients (Zaitow and Thomas, eds., 2003). According to the National Women's Law Centers, women prisoners report a higher than statistically normal history of domestic violence in their immediate past, and the fastest growing prison population with a disproportionate number of non-Whites forming over 60% of the population. In fact, over 30% of women in prison are serving sentences for murder involving a spouse or partner. The incarceration of women presents far different cultural and sociological issues than those of men -- issues with children, family, sexual politics and more (NWLC, 2012).

The rapid increase of female prisoners in a male-dominated system has left fewer adequate resources available for women. In addition, most research shows that women's prison experiences differ drastically from those of men because their relationships inside and outside prison tend to shape the culture then enter into in prison.

Women tend to form differing structures than men, finding roles similar to that which they would undertake outside prison. In addition, over 60% of women in prison were the primary guardians for their children, causing women to experience a higher degree of trauma and separation anxiety as well as a differing view of the judicial system and their own roles (Women in the Criminal Justice System, 2012). What is true, however, is that there is a clear disconnect in being able to handle the issues surrounding criminal justice in the U.S. For example, while the total U.S. population rose about 25% from 1980 to 2006, roughly 25 years, the prison population rose almost 400%. Nearly one in four of all prisoners globally are in American prisons; one in nine African-Americans, and now our prison system and local jails have almost 2.5 million prisoners causing an extreme burden on the criminal justice system, public health and safety and the taxpayer (Gonnerman, 2008).

Because of these divergent issues, our research will ask: are women offenders more likely to be successful if they participate in a gender-response program vs. A traditional, non-gender specific program?

RESEARCH METHODS

Hypothesis -- Gender-based psychological and rehabilitative programs are more effective for females who have been incarcerated that those that are more generic or based on total population data.

Basis - To define and analyze our research question, we will survey the literature as well as develop a qualitative instrument to administer to a sampling of prison psychologists and/or criminologists. Our primary theoretic base will focus on appropriate gender-response theory and programs that allow for gender differences within their structure. If there is time and permission can be gleaned, we will also submit a sample survey to a portion of a female prison population, as well as attempt to conduct at least a few face-to-face interviews.

We will attempt a "mixed" method research paradigm. This is a way to combine the best of both the qualitative approach and the quantitative paradigm so that both sides of the argument are adequately covered. In the case of the research, the qualitative defined strategies, while the quantitative measured actual results. If there is adequate time and budgets, qualitative research often uses such tools as focus groups and open ended surveys to frame the quantitative research. Our use of qualitative research will be used to buttress our hypothesis and narrow the question prior to studying the data quantitatively. For example, a focus group might be formed with the purpose of looking at a specific behavioral pattern based a single group or experience. The group makes judgments, remarks, and gives opinion -- all which are qualitative. We would then takes the qualitative data and uses it to form additional hypotheses and to develop a more quantitative approach to the problem. Typically, quantitative research uses larger samples that can be statistically analyzed and verified; while qualitative research uses smaller samples that may be used to generalize research. Our position will be based on time, budget, and approvals for an adequate data set (Cresswell, 2003).

Defining Variables -- Defining variables and concepts will be overall demographics, criminal record and incarceration details for selected female population; for professionals, variables and concepts will focus on gender-specific ways to increase the efficacy of therapy and rehabilitation, as well as operant ways to decrease recidivism.

Operalization - Independent variables in this case will be individual experience, opinions and differences in experts approach to the issue, dependent variables will focus on the outcome -- our explanation of divergent needs for women in prison

Analysis- We are interested more in the cause-effect issue of gender specific programs for women prisoners; their own views and experiences as well as professionals who interact with women prisoners. Most professionals conclude that the pathway to crime for women begins with abuse and a need to belong. Today's prison systems are operated based on the opposite model -- anti-social men. In fact, two researchers at the University of Northern Iowa found that gender-specific mental-health and substance abuse treatments were critical for both women in prison and those formerly incarcerated in order to stop the cycle of using inappropriate coping strategies and repeated incarceration (University of Northern Iowa Researchers Argue, 2006). In fact, it is this cycle of coping that we will focus when attempting to interview and/or survey women prisoners.

Additionally, it has been proposed that because the number of women prisoners incarcerated for non-violent crimes is so high, that there be a systematic review and potential early parole release of non-violent female prisoners, particularly those that have shown progress towards socialization and have solved their substance issues. We know that every individual responds to psychological therapy in a divergent way. Women respond quite differently, overall, than men, particularly when confronted with a risk or reward opportunity. Because of this, it is impossible to accurately determine if the penal system is a valid form of correction. The basic philosophical debate regarding the prison system is structured around the very purpose of the prison. 64% of the prisoners in Smokehouse are here because of non-violent crimes. Now, to be fair to society, not every non-violent criminal should be paroled: certain habitual drug offenses, etc. are at a different risk than a one-time bank embezzlement or credit card fraud charge. With new technology, it is possible to attach a monitoring device to parolees, use halfway houses and other means to mitigate their entry back into society, and free up needed resources for those who need to be behind bars for society's protection (Irwin, Schiraldi and Ziedenberg, 1999). In addition, if the cause for the errant behavior can be ascertained, the offender can be treated by suitable psychological therapy and counseling. Reintegration is really a more pragmatic extension of any reformation ideal, viewing the offender as needing help but also understanding that errant behaviors must have consequences, even when they are a disconnect between the individual and society. Like the reformative model, it views the offender as needing help and at the same time realizes that errant behavior is often a result of disjunction between the offender and society. Reintegration is based on the idea that the offender must be introduced to society by exposure to a positive and freer environment (Sichor, 1995; Hanrahan, 2006).

Population and Sampling- Population will be based on access to both prisoners and professionals within the local area during the given time span.

Data Collection- Data collection will be both qualitative and quantitative based on previous studies, primary sources, and interviews and data collected.

Ethics - The central rubric of marketing research is the ability to take raw data and interpret that data into a cogent synthesis that is meaningful to the company or organization. Proper interpretation takes a combination of the range of data, what is currently known and provable, and through an intellectual and analytical process, provides new data and interpretations thereof. To do this properly, one must understand the market, the business goals that engendered the study in the first place, and add any gaps in understanding or knowledge. Then, the research should give cogent recommendations to close those gaps. All data collected in this study will be confidential, with any personal information being locked and/or given only numerical ways of identification (e.g. Subject P-1 for Professional 1; I-1 for Inmate, G-1 for Guard, A-1 Administrator, etc.). We will use the Market Research Association guidelines in order to adhere to the appropriate thical standard:

All responses must be voluntary and disclosed to the participant.- No personal information that is not necessary to the study should be requested, and at all times the respondent must understand their participation is completely "at will." The precise nature of the research should be disclosed and the respondent, at all times, has the power to have their record expunged and destroyed. Valid information must be given to the participant so that they may, if they wish, verify that the company is legitimate and a real and professional study is underway.

Respondents' must have the right to opt out of the research, and/or remain anonymous -- Unless specific informed consent is given, and necessary, any Internet marketing research should be anonymous and again, appropriate for the use given. For instance, polling information on a non-profit organization should not be used in a political campaign out of context from the original collection rubric.

Privacy Policy Statements must be robust and posted in an accessible manner -- Like the information on the company conducting research, valid Privacy Policy Statements should be published online so that the consumer knows exactly how their information is to be used, stored, and ultimately destroyed.

Data Security must be maintained -- it is implicit that any professional company conducting research should be able to prove that it has adequate security for all data collected; and that data security maintained.

SAMPLE SURVEY (Professionals)

Note: This should be primarily distributed to criminology scholars, psychologists or psychiatrists who work in the prison population, or potentially to case workers or parole officers with a background in sociology who counsel or work with women prisoners.

1. What do you consider to be the primary challenge for women prisoners in the contemporary correctional system?

2. What trends have you seen evolving over the last decade regarding psychological issues that pertain specifically to female prisoners?

3. On average you believe the female prisoner has a significantly different psychological make-up than a male prisoner? If so, why? If not, why not?

4. Do you believe that gender-representative services are appropriate for women prisoners? Do you use them? Why or why not?

5. Do you believe that cognitive based therapies and services are appropriate for women prisoners? Do you use them? Why or why not?

6. What do you believe is the most effective way to help the female population within the prison system?

7. In general, what do you believe is the greatest need women prisoners have within the correctional system?

8. How do you approach reintegration of women prisoners back into society?