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In Iowa, A Commitment To Make Prison Work Better For Women

Joseph Shapiro

October 17, 2018 |

NPR |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Iowa

At the Iowa Correctional Institution For Women officials are shifting how they deal with inmates, who have been punished at higher rates than inmates in men’s prisons for things like being disruptive. It’s part of a trend in 15 states called gender-responsive corrections that recognizes the role of trauma in many women’s lives and that they are less likely to be violent. It means more freedom to move around, no full strip searches and fewer punishments for minor violations.

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Changing the environment in Iowa's prisons to change results for women

Jessica Pupovac

October 14, 2018 |

Chicago Reporter |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Mitchelville, Iowa

The Iowa Correctional Institution for Women has reformed how inmates are treated, adapting approaches informed by gender and past trauma. A new campus provides private counseling suites and a mental health unit, larger cells with light controls and a visitation area with play space and a garden so women can engage with their children. Disciplinary policies have also shifted toward building women up for returning to society rather than automatic discipline for small infractions.

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A small state with big ideas on rehabilitating female prisoners

Kari Lydersen Sydney Boles

October 14, 2018 |

Chicago Reporter |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Vermont

Across the United States, women statistically receive a higher rate of disciplinary tickets for minor infractions compared to their male counterparts. In Vermont, however, where corrections falls under the Department of Human Services, employees of the correctional facilities are trained in gender-informed practices to better suit their responses to women and men offenders.

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Unequal Discipline

Jessica Pupovac Kari Lydersen

October 14, 2018 |

Chicago Reporter |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Illinois

In 2017, Illinois passed a bill to re-establish the Women’s Correctional Services Division in response to the disproportionate level of discipline handed out to female inmates and in an effort to create more trauma-informed practices. An initial audit showed declines in discipline and there is now mandatory training for correctional officers on working with female inmates. But the main reform champion retired after the law passed and the state wouldn’t provide updated data on discipline.

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Bringing Arts and Culture into the Work of Public Safety and Criminal Justice

Emily Nonko

October 10, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A collaboration between artists, lawyers, and community members has resulted in expungement clinics that clean or clear criminal records in a manner that is legally binding and emotionally therapeutic. Clinic attendees are invited to literally shred their records and are then presented with a blank piece of paper made by co-op members—many formerly incarcerated people themselves—representing a new start.

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To Help Young Women in Prison, Try Dignity

Maurice Chammah

October 09, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Connecticut

Inspired by prisons in Germany that emphasize personal dignity, Connecticut is shifting its corrections department's focus with two programs for young offenders. The one for women matches 14 inmates with older incarcerated mentors who help develop programs of classes, counseling and planning for post-release life. Officers are trained to address trauma and say they feel a new sense of purpose, but it's an expensive and labor-intensive program so it's unclear how it will fare after this pilot phase.

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More Women Are Behind Bars Now. One Prison Wants to Change That.

Maurice Chammah

October 09, 2018 |

The Marshall Project |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Niantic, Connecticut

Connecticut's WORTH program (Women Overcoming Recidivism Through Hard Work) has changed the tone of one prison where it's being tested, by giving incarcerated women the ability to craft self-help programs while treating them with an approach in short supply in American prisons: dignity. While the ultimate goal of the program is to reduce returns to prison, and the state's overall female incarceration rate, the more immediate effect of the new program is anecdotal: Prison officials and incarcerated women alike see people gaining a sense of control over their lives and planning for a healthy future.

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PA Banking On New Program Providing Inmates With Financial Savvy To Succeed

Sara Hoover

October 08, 2018 |

WHYY |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Two state agencies in Pennsylvania collaborated to launch a program that trains inmates on financial literacy skills in an effort to curb recidivism. The Department of Corrections and the Department of Banking and Securities have reached more than 4,300 inmates through the classes, many of whom have been inside for years and may have never had bank accounts. Research found having a bank account is strongly correlated with not returning to prison and higher employment rates.

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Philly Program Teaches Defendants How To Help Themselves

Annette John-Hall

October 05, 2018 |

WESA |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Philadelphia, the participatory defense program helps people learn how to present themselves in a criminal case in a way that gives a more complete picture of who they are. They write a biography, get letters of support and bring supporters to court in a system the chief public defender brought from Montgomery County and which originated in Silicon Valley. The program helps public defenders present their cases more effectively and judges may be more likely to impose less harsh sentences.

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Every employee at this grilled cheese restaurant has a criminal record

Adele Peters

October 05, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Emily Turner, an attorney-turned-activist, runs the restaurant All Square, which only employs people with a criminal record. After years working in the field of prisoner reentry for the government, she decided to create a solution that would directly help people: providing jobs. By paying a living wage, providing mental health support, and teaching business skills, the “fellows,” as they are called, are finding a sustainable way to bounce back.

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