Recidivism rates amongst incarcerated people is one of the most consequential issues with the United States justice system. However, according to the US Department of Justice, recidivism rates amongst female-identifying prisoners are historically lower than individuals incarcerated in men’s prisons. The question is, why?
In an effort to “better rehabilitate,” many prisons offer gender-responsive therapy to those affected by the justice system. The idea is that men and women offend and recidivate for different reasons that should be addressed with unique programming based on gender identity–most notably, specific interventions designed for women. For example, substance abuse and addiction are responsible for the arrest of many women in prison. The National Institute of Justice states that gender differentiations in drug pathways and drug use are considered in the treatment offered to affected inmates to better prepare them for societal reentry.
Evidently, the therapies offered to women are more effective at preventing recidivism than those offered to male-identifying inmates. The significant difference is the focus on traditional “maternal instincts” involving parent-child relationships and familial reunification. Programming for female prisons better supports their reentry by strengthening social ties that–based on criminological theories–motivate them to not recidivate. However, children and families, social bonds in general, are not exclusive to women.
While gender-responsive therapy is a theoretically logical approach to rehabilitation, the justice system should consider the applicable methods that are effective for women and introduce them in men’s prisons. According to the National Fatherhood initiative, approximately 92% of men in prison are fathers; a little over half of incarcerated women are mothers. Additionally, according to the DOJ, single-parent households contribute to a juvenile’s likelihood to offend. Offering therapeutic services that focus on familial reunification and parent-child relationships may better prepare men for reentry and decrease recidivism rates by establishing a societal bond.
Rather than gender-responsive therapy, situation-responsive therapy with a focus on maintaining and establishing social relationships may be better suited to decrease recidivism. Deconstructing social constructs, like gender, could be the step to more equity and support for those who have been incarcerated.
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