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Educational and Vocational Programming in Women’s Prisons: History, Gender Disparities, and Promising Progress

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Women and Prison

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Abstract

This chapter explores an important aspect of the experience of imprisoned women. Specifically, this chapter explores vocational and educational programming in women’s prisons. The chapter begins with an overview of female imprisonment, including trends in incarceration rates. The history of vocational and educational programming available to women is then discussed, including recent advances in this area. This includes specific examples of programs that are currently being offered and have shown promise. Research on the effectiveness of these programs in general and specifically for women is also discussed. The chapter seeks to explore what is known about whether the needs of female inmates are being met. The chapter concludes with policy recommendations aimed at improving the experiences of these women and preparing them for when they are released and reenter society.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This could involve vocational programs in addition to education programs.

  2. 2.

    Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) Act.

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    Rashaan A. DeShay

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    Jada Hector

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DeShay, R.A. (2020). Educational and Vocational Programming in Women’s Prisons: History, Gender Disparities, and Promising Progress. In: Hector, J. (eds) Women and Prison. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46172-0_9

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