Pathways to Crime Female Offender Experiences of Victimization JRSA/BJS National Conference, Portland Maine, 10/28/10
Background The Idaho SAC has been helping the Idaho Department of Corrections in evaluation of the Building Healthy Relationships (BHR) course taught to female inmate survivors of domestic abuse since 1997. The BHR course is paid for out of a STOP Violence Against Women grant. History and cycles of domestic violence How to make better relationship choices in the future How to access help in the community in the case of any future domestic violence.
Background Cont. As part of the evaluation effort, a questionnaire was developed to assess whether women have experienced lifetime domestic violence and/or other forms of abuse and if these characteristics can add to what is known about the offender for placement and treatment. The survey also addresses drug/alcohol addiction, self esteem and barriers to job placement. The survey is provided to all inmates upon first entering the Reception and Diagnostic Unit (RDU) in addition to the LSI R and case management services. Information concerning the questionnaire, pre/post tests, evaluation forms, an essay concerning Three things learned are all compiled quarterly for planning purposes for the program.
Idaho Offender Characteristics Source: FY 2009 Annual Statistical Report http://www.idoc.idaho.gov/facts/annual/anrep09.pdf Male/Female Incarcerated Offenders by Crime Group Male % Female % Assault 23.3 Drug 37.7 Sex 23.0 Property 34.9 Drug 20.4 Assault 13.2 Property 20.5 Alcohol 5.8 Alcohol 6.8 Murder/Manslaughter 5.4 Murder/Manslaughter 6.1 Sex 3.0 FY 2009 Total 6509 FY 2009 Total 798 Source: FY 2009 Annual Statistical Report http://www.idoc.idaho.gov/facts/pop_stats.htm 78% of females compared to 48% of males in 2009 were incarcerated for non violent offenses (drug, property and alcohol).
Incarcerated Offender Population Growth: Source FY 2009 Annual Statistical Report http://www.idoc.idaho.gov/facts/annual/anrep09.pdf In past decade, female population has increased by 78% compared to 43% for male population. Population has currently stabilized for both genders. 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 Idaho Incarcerated Population Growth: FY 1980 2009 7283 6526 6509 5002 5798 4567 3061 1903 2864 1339 915 1793 1282 728 774 877 38 57 110 197 435 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2009 Total Male Female
Pathways to crime: Research questions Women in prison have experienced more instances of domestic violence, childhood abuse, have mental illness, have substance abuse problems and come from impoverished backgrounds than women in the general population (Morton, 1994). The question is, what is the amount of victimization, substance abuse problems, and poverty experienced by women in Idaho prisons? Methodology: Information from women completing the questionnaire between 2007 until current, for a total sample of 2,272. Time frame used because previous survey questions are not comparable. Reference: Morton, D.C. (1994). Women in prison. Bureau of Justice Statistics. Retrieved on Sept. 19 th, 2010 at: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov.
Victimization (n=2,272) Intimate partner abuse: 60.5% have been physically abused in an intimate relationship 53.3% report being cut, bruised or seriously injured during a fight with their spouse/partner 42.5% report that they required medical attention for the abuse 19% of Idaho victimization survey lifetime physical abuse 70.0% report emotional abuse in an intimate relationship. 24.2% of Idaho victimization survey lifetime emotional abuse Abuse inflicted on partner: 30.1% report emotionally abusing any of their intimate partners. 15.1% report cutting, bruising or seriously injuring their intimate partner. 8.4% said their partner required medical attention from the abuse.
Victimization cont: (n=2,272) 38.9% had parents who were violent while they were growing up. 35.6% report physical abuse as a child. 58.3% of female juvenile offenders are verified victims of child abuse or neglect. 47.6% reported sexual fondling prior to age 18 32.5% report forced sex prior to age 18. Nearly one third (30.5%) report that experiences of abuse had something to do with their reasons for committing crime.
Research Question #2 Research has also shown that current risk assessments such as the LSI R used to provide treatment planning and custody placement could be improved by adding questions concerning childhood abuse, anxiety or depression, unsupportive relationships and psychosis (Van Voorhis et al., 2010). What types of behavior can be treated to most successfully guarantee a positive re entry experience. Methodology: Recidivism tracked for 1,348 BHR participants taking the course since 2003. LSI scores were also obtained for BHR participants. Van Voorhis, P., Wright, E.M., Salisbury, E.M., & Bauman, A. (2010). Women s risk factors and their contributions to existing risk/needs assessment: The current status of a gender responsive supplement. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 37, (3), 261 299. doi: 10.1177/0093854809357442
LSI R (Andrews & Bonta, 1995) The Level of Services Inventory Revised is a popular assessment that provides the an estimate of the risk of recidivism as well as information on criminogenic needs. 54 item instrument where trained individuals score each item as present or absent based on the file of the inmate and an interview. Andrews and Bonta (1995) recommend measures be refined for various jurisdictions and populations. Andrews D., & Bonta, J. (1995). The level of service inventory revised user s manual. Toronto: Multi Health Systems.
LSI R cont. Has been validated for use with women. Does not have questions which consider issues of concern to gender responsive scholars, such as: scales on relationships, depression, parental issues, self esteem, trauma, victimization (Van Voorhis et al., 2010). Van Voorhis, P., Wright, E. M., Salisbury, E., & Bauman, A., (2010). Women s risk factors and their contributions to existing risk/needs assessment: The current status of a gender responsive supplement. Criminal Justice and Behavior. 37 (3), 261 288.
BHR Demographics: Taken from 1,348 BHR participants since 2003 Marital Status: % Married 22.1 Single (Never Married) 32.1 Divorced 25.6 Separated 9.1 Widowed 2.5 Common Law (living w/spouse before incarceration) 6.5 Race/ethnicity: % White 89.2 African American 2.0 Native American 7.5 Asian American/Pacific Islander 1.0 Other 0.3 Non Hispanic 84.7 Hispanic 15.3 Age (mean): 33.3 Family Income: % Under $10,000 51.6 $10,001 $20,000 21.5 $20,001 $30,000 12.8 $30,001 $40,000 6.5 $40,001 and over 7.6 Received public assistance 77.9 Education: % 8th grade or less 6.0 Some high school 20.6 High School Diploma 14.9 GED 25.6 Some college 27.6 College graduate or more 5.3 Number of children (mean): 2.9
Job Experience: 72.2% unemployed,71.4% frequently unemployed Highest hourly salary earned at legitimate occupation: % $4.25 or less 1.7 $4.26 to $6.50 7.3 $6.51 to $10.00 46.8 $10.01 to $15.00 (or more) 27.7 $15.00 or more 16.6 Needs to increase chances of getting job they want % More education 56.5 More experience 34.0 English Skills 1.8 Help in self presentation (grooming, application, interview) 9.2 Technical training 25.4 None, fully qualified 16.1 Won't be working 4.3 Other 7.9
Substance Abuse Female offenders indicate a more severe drug problem than alcohol problem, including greater use of illegal drugs prior to incarceration. Varies by type of drug, many addicted to meth (69%). Substance Abuse Alcohol % Illegal Drugs % Ever used 95.4% 93.4% Substance abuse problem 65.3% 87.5% Problem, current 36.7% 76.5% Have been treated for addiction 38.3% 70.4% Age at first use (mean): 14.0 15.7 Use was an attempt to be accepted by someone dating at the time: 12.1% 17.7% How often used in year prior to incarceration: Daily 9.6% 30.4% A few times a week 13.8% 14.4% A few times a month 16.0% 10.0% A few times a year 29.3% 16.1% Once 3.0% 1.7% Never 28.4% 26.9%
Recidivism 32.5% of BHR participants taking class since 2003 have returned to prison after release. Has varied between 27% to 33% Not significantly different from rest of prison population. average 1.4 years (median 1.2 years).
Idaho Parole Revocations Source: FY 2009 Annual Statistical Report http://www.idoc.idaho.gov/facts/annual/anrep09.pdf 29% of females versus 37% of males have retuned to prison. Differences vary by type of offense: alcohol offenses have highest recidivism for women, property and assault offenses have the highest rate for men. Parole Revocations by Crime and Gender FY 1996 2009 Crime Group: Gender N Revoked N Revocation rate % Alcohol Female 62 29 47 Male 739 246 33 Assault Female 139 41 29 Male 1,825 755 41 Drug Female 596 170 29 Male 2,703 830 31 Murder & Man Female 38 9 24 Male 201 33 16 Property Female 553 159 29 Male 2,862 1228 43 Sex Female 21 6 29 Male 882 307 35 Total Female 1,409 414 29 Male 9,212 3399 37
Factors Related to Recidivism (n=1,348 BHR participants) Correlations: LSI score and recidivism (r=.200**). Highest correlations: Arrested prior to age 16 Less than 12 th grade education Prior adult convictions/ suspended probation or parole Unemployed and frequently unemployed Drug or alcohol addiction Questionnaire: Ran away from home as teen Physical abuse of spouse Abuse not related
Factors Related to Recidivism Johansson and Kempt Leonard (2009) explore research by Howell (2003). Four of the five risk factors did in fact predict serious chronic offending for both men and women mental health problems running away gang involvement and previous experiences in secure detention Experiences of abuse and maltreatment were not significantly related for either gender. Howell, J. C. (2003). Preventing and reducing juvenile delinquency: A comprehensive framework. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Johansson,P, & Kempt Leonard, K. (2009). A gender specific pathway to serious, violent, and chronic offending? Exploring Howell s risk factors for serious delinquency. Crime & Delinquency, 55(2), 216 240
Abusive History Scale created from different forms of abuse including childhood and intimate partner emotional, physical and sexual abuse. LSI:.237** Non rewarding relationship with parents/other relatives Drug problem Dissatisfaction with marriage or equivalent Unsatisfactory accommodations /High crime neighborhood Could make better use of time Three or more convictions Alcohol problem Punished for institutional misconduct Financial problems/ public assistance Criminal family/spouse Official record of assault violence Mental health treatment past/ Psychological assessment indicated area Less than 12 th grade education/ suspended or expelled at least once
Abuse History Cont. Questionnaire: Ran away from home Ran away to be with an intimate partner Substance abuse: Age at first use of alcohol/ Age of first use of illegal drugs/attempt to impress someone dating Self esteem Spouse incarcerated/parent/guardian incarcerated/prison because of offense against you/ prison because of offense against children Used illegal sources to meet needs prior to prison
Carbone Lopez, K. & Kruttschnitt, C. (2010). Risky relationships? Assortative mating and women s experiences of intimate partner violence. Crime & Delinquency, 56(3), 358 384. Does Providing DV Education/Support Groups Help? Those coming back to prison and having previously taken the BHR course were asked if they felt the class had a positive impact on choices they made while outside in the community: 91.3% said yes. 24.7% said they were in further physically or emotionally abusive intimate partner relationships after taking the class. Theory of assortative mating (Carbone Lopez, Kruttschnitt, 2010). Relationships with partners involved in criminal activity puts women at an increased risk to become victims of intimate partner violence. Women with abusive histories are more likely to have run away from home, gotten arrested before age 16, have frequent unemployment or be unemployed which are risk factors for further recidivism.
Inmate Perspective Consistent positive evaluations over the lifetime of the program. Inmates appreciate the chance to reflect on life. State that the most meaningful topics are on boundaries, learning how abuse affects children, forgiveness, shame/grief, and self esteem. For counseling to work, depends on whether or not abuse had anything to do with crime, how and why women get involved in crime in the first place. Research on reasons gives information as to how treatment should proceed.
Thank you! Contact info: Janeena Wing Idaho State Police Planning, Grants and Research Janeena.Wing@isp.idaho.gov