Interventions Provided to Women Involved in the Criminal Justice System: A Systematic Review of the Literature Over the Past 25 years

• In Event: Historical Perspectives and Trends of Prisons and Inmates

Abstract

Although women are the fastest growing segment of the criminal justice system, they comprise a proportionately smaller percentage of the justice population. As a result, many correctional interventions have focused almost exclusively on men. The purpose of this study was to provide a systematic review of published psychosocial interventions conducted with women in the criminal justice system (prison; jail; probation; parole) over the past 25 years. Computer-based search engines were used to identify peer-review publications in both national (U.S.) and international journals. A total of fifty-one studies met inclusion criteria. The interventions targeted a range of issues, including: HIV/STIs; general health; parenting; substance use; peer mentoring; and mental health. The research methods and outcomes of each study were analyzed. Results of this systematic review are used to identify promising interventions for women involved in the justice system, illuminate significant gaps in psychosocial functioning for this population, and provide recommendations for the development of evidence-based practices in the future.

Authors

• Tammi Thomas, University of Louisville

• Amanda Velez, University of Louisville

• Jordan Wilfong, University of Louisville

• Seana Golder, University of Louisville