Poster #22 - Behind Bars: How Gender Shapes the Availability of Prison Programs

• In Event: ASC Poster Session II

Abstract

The importance of program availability within the prison setting has been linked to positive outcomes such as recidivism reduction, healthier lifestyle skills, job readiness, and others. While previous research has noted the link between total program availability and factors like gender, funding, participation rates, and staffing, the variety of types of programs available has not been looked at in relation to gender housed within a facility. Using data from the 2019 Census of State and Federal Adult Correctional Facilities, a Multiple Linear Regression was run to observe the relationship between gender housed and the variety of programs that were available within facilities. From here, a Logistic Regression was run for each program type to determine the relationship between these specific programs and gender housed. Findings indicate that facilities housing only women offer a greater variety of programs as compared to both men-only facilities and mixed-gender facilities. These findings would indicate that incarcerated women could gain a wide array of skills that could be used once released. Implications of these findings could help correctional administrators be cognizant that programming should be as equal as possible across gendered facilities to ensure these facilities cover possible needs of the incarcerated population.

Authors

• Thomas Jones, University of Central Florida

• Cassandra Philippon, University of Central Florida