Interventions with Incarcerated Women – A Systematic Review

• In Event: Critical Approaches to Gender-Sensitive Policies in Prison Systems (I)

Abstract

Despite women constituting only about 7% of the global prison population, they currently represent the fastest-growing demographic in prisons, with a worldwide increase of 50.2% since 2000 (Castro Rodrigues et al., 2023; Grills et al., 2015). Studies further indicate that female inmates experience significantly higher rates of vulnerabilities before, during, and after imprisonment—such as depression, PTSD, and substance dependence—often stemming from extensive histories of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, compounded by economic marginalization (Covington, 2007). Given these unique physical, emotional, and social challenges, the growing number of incarcerated women underscores the need for justice systems, especially those guided by resocialization traditions, to respond more effectively to their needs. Consequently, there is an urgent call to rethink penal responses and develop programs focused on improving the physical and mental health of women serving prison sentences (Fazel et al., 2016). This study presents a systematic review of interventions delivered to imprisoned women. We analyze various features—samples, theoretical models, program design, treatment modalities and targets, and assessment procedures—to determine whether these initiatives align with the best practices recommended in the literature. This work is particularly relevant considering the recent theoretical developments on the most effective therapeutic approaches to intervene with people who have committed crimes. Following the current Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we identified 1,211 articles across Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, B-On, and PsycNet. Of these, 59 articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final review. Findings are discussed about future research and policy recommendations, highlighting potential pathways to develop more effective interventions for female inmates.

Authors

• Andreia Castro-Rodrigues, ISPA - Instituto Universitário

• Francesca Candus, University of Rome

• Ana Rita Cruz, Universidade Lusófona, HEI-Lab: Laboratórios Digitais de Ambientes e Interacções Humanas, Portugal

• Loraine Gelsthorpe, University of Cambridge

• Sofia Knittel, ISPA; FCUL

• Marta Sousa, Lusófona University of Porto

• Emma Silva, WJCR & Ispa

• Olga Cunha, University of Minho