The first in-depth comparative look at gender-responsive versus traditional probation and parole for women
So far there has been very limited research on the effectiveness of gender-responsive as compared to traditional supervision of women felons on probation and parole. This volume, based on extensive longitudinal, qualitative data from probation and parole officers and from in-depth interviews with the women themselves, fills this gap.
Merry Morash has based her study on data from two counties in the same state that differed markedly in their approaches to supervision. Gender Responsive County emphasized identifying and meeting a wide range of needs unique or common to women offenders. Traditional County emphasized compliance with rules and similar treatment for women and men. Within this comparative frame, Morash discusses life issues of women offenders, including dangerous places where they live, relationships with partners and children, and reliance on a mix of criminal and prosocial support networks. She documents change and demonstrates how a dedicated and innovative team of probation and parole officers apply a gender-responsive approach to produce positive outcomes for women addicted to drugs or dependent on destructive and abusive partners.
Endorsements:
“Probation and parole services have long either ignored women or treated them as if they were men. Morash’s vital new study exposes the cost of such an approach while also documenting the importance of paying attention to women’s unique needs if they are to succeed in staying crime free. It turns out addressing gender troubles (like domestic violence) and building on women’s strengths (like relationships) actually means better services and lower recidivism. In an era that will see increasing numbers of criminalized women seeking services in the community, Women on Probation and Parole is a must read.”—Meda Chesney-Lind, University of Hawaii at Manoa
“Women on Probation and Parole is a much-needed addition to the research on women offenders, particularly women under correctional-community supervision. Based on multiple sources of data, Morash provides a nuanced, feminist-based portrait of women’s lives on probation and parole in two adjacent counties with very different approaches to supervision. This is one of the most compelling books to be published recently on the challenges facing women offenders and their programming needs.”—Darrell Steffensmeier, Penn State University
Click here for TABLE OF CONTENTS
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MERRY MORASH is a professor in the School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University. She is an American Society of Criminology Fellow and recipient of its Division on Women and Crime distinguished scholar award.
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