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Oklahoma is first in the nation in female incarceration, incarcerating 131
women per 100,000 population compared to the national average of 69.
Common Characteristics Include:
- History of trauma and violence;
- History of substance abuse and addiction;
- Economic marginalization and poverty;
- Race and ethnicity;
- Medical issues and mental health issues;
- Women offenders as mothers;
- Relationships.
Top Five Controlling Offense Categories - End of FY2008:
- Distributing CDS is 19.7%,
- Possession/ Obtaining CDS is 19.1%,
- Forgery is 7.6%,
- Larceny is 7.1%,
- Assault is 6.7%.
Trauma:
- As adults, 70.9 percent were victims of domestic violence; 44.0
percent were victims of rape; and 37.6 percent were victims of domestic
violence and rape. As children, 67.1 percent were victims of physical and/or
sexual abuse.
(Source: Marcus-Mendoza and Sharp, 8/24/07).
- Sixty-four percent of Fiscal Year 2008 receptions were assessed with a
moderate to high need for substance abuse treatment.
Economic Marginalization And Poverty -
Women in Oklahoma rank in the bottom third for:
- Employment and earnings;
- Participation in the labor force;
- Completion of a higher education degree;
- Percentage of women-owned businesses;
- Percentage living above the poverty line;
- Percentage having health insurance.
(Source: Institute of Women’s Policy Research Briefing Paper)
Education - Sixty-eight percent of Fiscal Year 2008 receptions had
a need for education.
Minority populations are disproportionately represented in the criminal
justice system.
Medical and Mental Health Issues:
- Female offenders are treated for
a variety of medical and mental health issues. Of the 2,690 female offenders
incarcerated at the end of Fiscal Year 2008, 68 percent had a history of
mental illness or were currently being treated for mental illness.
Nationally:
- 65 percent of incarcerated women nationally have at
least one child under the age of 18, and 65 percent of incarcerated mothers
had minor children living with them prior to incarceration.
(Source: U.S Dept. of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics.)
Reentry Needs Include:
- Safe and affordable housing;
- Transitional income;
- Employment;
- Transportation;
- Childcare;
- Medical and mental health care;
- Substance abuse treatment;
- Community support;
- Positive relationships and role models.
Opportunities To Impact The Female Incarceration Rate:
- Prevention and intervention;
- Diversion prior to incarceration;
- Gender responsive and refined assessment of custody classification,
strengths, and needs;
- Specialized training for staff working with female offenders;
- Gender responsive and effective programs;
- Partnerships with external stakeholders;
- Support and resources for successful reentry.
Female Offender Information - as of Dec. 2008:
- Total Count of Female Offenders is 2,668.
- Total Count of Female Probation Clients is 6,630.
- Total Count of Female Parole Clients is 665.
- Average Age of Female offenders is 37.4.
The vision of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections Division of Female
Offender Operations is to reduce the rate of female offender incarceration
to at, or below, the national average within ten years by:
-
Educating others regarding female incarceration in Oklahoma and the
critical issues impacting female offenders.
- Supporting efforts for reducing the rate of female incarceration
to the national average.
- Providing critical support and resources necessary for female offenders’ successful
reentry into society.
