Skip to main content

Sense of Community of Young Women in Custody

  • Chapter
Psychological Sense of Community

Part of the book series: The Plenum Series in Social/Clinical Psychology ((SSSC))

Abstract

Young women in custody are among the most marginalized, disempowered groups in our society (Alder & Hunter, 1999). The lack of attention afforded them by the general population is reflected in the lack of psychological research regarding their experiences and beliefs. While there is much anecdotal evidence related to women in custody and their experience of support and community in the custodial setting, there has been a paucity of systematic research. Anecdotal evidence and observations in Harris Correctional Facilityi demonstrate that strong attachments that many young women appeared to develop while at Harris. These observations suggested that there might be a relationship between the residents’ sense of community while in Harris, their ability to successfully reintegrate into the general community, and their rates of recidivism. These factors appeared to be further complicated by a lack of sense of community in the external environment, loneliness, and histories of abuse, trauma and instability.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alder, C., & Hunter, N. (1999). “Not worse, just different”?: Working with young women in the juvenile justice system. Report of Findings 2: Young women’s juvenile justice experiences. Melbourne, Australia: Criminology Department, University of Melbourne.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, S., Smith, C., & Dolan, M. (2001). The social background and nature of ‘children’ who perpetrate violent crimes: A UK perspective. Journal of Community Psychology, 29, 305–317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bank, L., & Burraston, B. (2001). Abusive home environments as predictors of poor adjustment during adolescence and early adulthood. Journal of Community Psychology, 29, 195–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117, 497–529.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bell, C. C., & Jenkins, E. J. (1993). Community violence and children on Chicago’s southside. Psychiatry, 56, 46–54.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, P. D., Jason, L. A., Ferrari, J. R., & Huang, C. (1998). A survival analysis of communal-living, self-help, addiction recovery participants. American Journal of Community Psychology, 26, 803–821.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bowler, I. (1997). Problems with interviewing: Experiences with service providers and clients. In G. Miller and R. Dingwall (Eds.). Context and method in qualitative research (pp. 66–76). London: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brodsky, A. E. (1996). Resilient single mothers in risky neighborhoods: Negative psychological sense of community. Journal of Community Psychology, 24, 347–363.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brodsky, A. E., O’Campo, P. J., & Aronson, R. E. (1999). PSOC in community contexts: Multi-level correlates of a measure of psychological sense of community in low-income, urban neighborhoods. Journal of Community Psychology, 27, 659–679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bukstel, L. H., & Kilmann, P. R. (1980). Psychological effects of imprisonment on confined individuals. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 469–493.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chavis, D. M., & Newbrough, J. R. (1986). The meaning of ‘Community’ in community psychology. Journal of Community Psychology, 14, 335–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chesney-Lind, M. (1989). Girls’ crime and women’s place: Toward a feminist model of female delinquency. Crime and Delinquency, 35, 5–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chipuer, H. M., & Pretty, G. H. (1997). Adolescent construction of the neighbourhood community. Paper presented at the Young People and Their Environment conference, Queensland Public Health, Queensland, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Community Services Victoria. (1992). Becoming stronger: An action plan for young women. Melbourne, Australia: Community Services Victoria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cottrell, L. D. Jr. (1976). The competent community. In B. H. Kaplan, R. N. Wilson, & A. H. Leighton (Eds.). Further explorations in social psychiatry. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, W. B., & Cotter, P. R. (1991). The relationship between sense of community and subjective well-being: A first look. Journal of Community Psychology, 19, 246–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies, S., & Cook, S. (1998). Women, imprisonment and post-release mortality. Just Policy, 14, 15–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Justice. (1996). The Victorian Prison Service in 1995. Melbourne, Australia: Department of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fendrich, M. (1991). Institutionalization and parole behavior: Assessing the influence of individual and family characteristics. Journal of Community Psychology, 19, 109–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ford, N. (1999). The treatment of major depression in adolescents. The Australian Journal of Psychopharmacology, 9, 36–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Funk, S. J. (1999). Risk assessment for juveniles on probation: A focus on gender. American Association for Correctional Psychology, 26(1), 44–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganzer, V. J., & Sarason, I. G. (1973). Variables associated with recidivism among juvenile delinquents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 40, 1–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grisso, T. (1999). Juvenile offenders and mental illness. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 6, 143–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodstein, L. (1979). Inmate adjustment to prison and the transition to community life. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 16, 246–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hancock, L. (1986). Economic pragmatism and the ideology of sexism: Prison policy and women. Women’s Studies International Forum, 9, 101–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harding, R. (1990). Review of suicide and suicide attempts by prisoners in the custody of the Office of Corrections, Victoria. Melbourne, Australia: Office of Corrections.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann, D. J., Wolk, J. L., Johnston, J. S., & Colyer, C. J. (1997). Recidivism and substance abuse outcomes in a prison-based therapeutic community. Federal Probation, 61, 18–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, D. J. (1998). Drug abuse and incarcerated women: A research review. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 15, 579–588.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hokanson, J., Megargee, E., O’Hagan, S., & Perry, A. (1976). Behavioral, emotional, and autonomic reactions to stress among incarcerated youthful offenders. Criminal Justice and Behaviour, 3, 203–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iscoe, I. (1974). Community psychology and the competent community. American Psychologist, 29, 607–613.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jasper, A., Smith, C., & Bailey, S. (1998). One hundred girls in care referred to an adolescent forensic mental health service. Journal of Adolescence, 21, 555–568.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kowalski, M., & Caputo, T. (1999). Recidivism in youth court: An examination of the impact of age, gender and prior record. Canadian Journal of Criminology, 41, 57–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knutson, J. F. (1995). Psychological characteristics of maltreated children: Putative risk factors and consequences. Annual Review of Psychology, 46, 401–431.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leibling, A. (1994). Suicide amongst women prisoners. The Howard Journal, 33(1), 1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maden, A., Swinton, M., & Gunn, J. (1994). Psychiatric disorder in women serving a prison sentence. British Journal of Psychiatry, 164, 44–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCord, J. (1983). A forty year perspective on effects of child abuse and neglect. Child Abuse and Neglect, 7, 265–270.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McMillan, D., & Chavis, D. (1986). Sense of community: A definition and theory. Journal of Community Psychology, 14, 6–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, A., & Wilkinson, C. (1995). Responding to female prisoners’ needs. The Prison Journal, 75, 295–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morris, R. (1964). Female delinquency and relational problems. Social Forces, 43, 82–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osofsky, J. D., Wewers, S., Hann, D. M., & Fick, A. C. (1993). Chronic community violence: What is happening to our children? Psychiatry, 56, 7–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Page, R. (1991). Loneliness as a risk factor in adolescent hopelessness. Journal of Research in Personality. 25, 189–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, T., & Wedge, R. (1989). California’s juvenile probation camps: Findings and implications. Crime and Delinquency, 35, 234–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patton, M. Q. (1990). Qualitative evaluation methods. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paulus, P. B., & Dzindolet, M. T. (1993). Reactions of male and female inmates to prison confinement: Further Evidence for a two-component model. Criminal Justice and Behaviour, 20, 149–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Porporino, F. J., & Zambie, E. (1984). Coping with imprisonment. Canadian Journal of Criminology, 26, 403–421.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pretty, G. M. H., Andrewes, L., & Collett, C. (1994). Exploring adolescents’ sense of community and its relationship to loneliness. Journal of Community Psychology, 22, 346–358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pretty, G. M. H., Conroy, C., Dugay, J., Fowler K. & Williams, D. (1996). Sense of community and its relevance to adolescents of all ages. Journal of Community Psychology, 24, 365–379.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rokach, A. (1997). Loneliness in jail: Coping strategies. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 41, 260–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rokach, A., & Koledin, S. (1997). Loneliness in jail: A study of the loneliness of incarcerated men. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 41, 168–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbaum, J. L. (1989). Family dysfunction and female delinquency. Crime and Delinquency, 35, 31–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruback, R. B., Carr, T. S., & Hopper, C. H. (1986). Perceived control in prison: Its relation to reported crowding, stress, and symptoms. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 16, 375–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, H. J., & Rubin, I. (1995). Qualitative interviewing: The art of hearing data. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sard, R. C. (1983). Gender issue in juvenile justice. Crime and Delinquency, 29, 381–397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheidow, A. J., Gorman-Smith, D., Tolan, P. H., & Henry, D. B. (2001). Family and community characteristics: Risk factors for violence exposure in inner-city youth. Journal of Community Psychology, 29, 345–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singer, I., Bussey, J., Song, L., & Lunghofer, L. (1995). The psychosocial issues of women serving time in jail. Social Work, 40, 103–113.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, C., & Thornberry, T.P. (1995). The relationship between childhood maltreatment and adolescent involvement in delinquency. Criminology, 33, 451–481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solarz, A., & Bogat, G. A. (1990). When social support fails: The homeless. Journal of Community Psychology, 18, 79–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sonn, C. C., & Fisher, A. T. (1998). Sense of community: Community resilient responses to oppression and change. Journal of Community Psychology, 26, 457–472.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, H., & Tattersall, A. (2000). Invisible young women: Hearing the stories of young women who present with violent, challenging and/or offending behaviour. Victoria: Young Women’s Project.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thoits, P. (1991). On merging identity theory and stress research. Social Psychology Quarterly 54, 101–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • West, C. (1996). Ethnography and orthography: A (modest) methodological proposal. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 25, 327–352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wexler, H., DeLeon, G., Thomas, G., Kressel, D., & Peters, J. (1999). The Amity Prison TC Evaluation. Criminal Justice and Behaviour, 26, 147–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Widom, C., & White, H. R. (1997). Problem behaviours in abused and neglected children grown up: prevalence and co-occurrence of substance abuse, crime and violence. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 7, 287–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wooldredge, J. D. (1999). Inmate experiences and psychological well-being. Criminal Justice and Behaviour, 26, 235–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zamble, E., & Porporino, F. J. (1990). Coping with imprisonment. Criminal Justice and Behaviour, 17, 53–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2002 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Redman, T., Fisher, A.T. (2002). Sense of Community of Young Women in Custody. In: Fisher, A.T., Sonn, C.C., Bishop, B.J. (eds) Psychological Sense of Community. The Plenum Series in Social/Clinical Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0719-2_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0719-2_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-5209-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-0719-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics