educational programs on defining sexual violence, prevention, victim rights, services available to victims, and encouraging inmates to report victimizations (Fowler et al., 2010). It is easier said than done for victimized inmates to report sexual assaults incidents to prison officials. That being said, prison officials must be vigilant and set the tone; exemplify good leadership and management skills that can instill good working ethics in the minds of correction officers. Rehabilitation programs are offered in certain states for incarcerated mothers; however, certain aspects of the overall prison regime are incompatible with some of the issues which women face while in custody (Hanser & Gomila, 2015). Pregnant inmates require particular resources and attention such as dieting programs; physical fitness, clothing and medical care (Clarke & Simon, 2013). The aforementioned programs needed by pregnant inmates are not always readily available at most U.S. penal institutions for women. The Texas of Department of Criminal Justice has developed a rehabilitation program called “Baby and Mother Bonding Initiative (BAMBI)”, for eligible offenders who are pregnant while in prison (Texas Department of Criminal Justice, 2015). In summary, the BAMBI initiative was created to provide an opportunity for incarcerated mothers and their child to bond. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice believes the BAMBI initiative will promote “healthy growth and development, socialization, and psychological development during the infant’s formative years, while in a safe and secure environment” (Texas Department of Criminal Justice, 2015, p. 1). Other programs such as “Hour Children”, which is staffed by volunteers who had experienced similar situations, could also provide services for incarcerated mothers and their child (Hanser & Gomila, 2015). Summary We have seen drastic changes in U.S. prisons since the 1800s; modifications in architecture, correctional goals, rehabilitation/release programs, and constitutional rights. Prison is not a fun place to be even for the most harden criminals. A correctional system is not an arena for solving the underlying causes of crime. Some states are facing severe budget cuts due to economic struggles and drops in tax revenues; therefore, not all prison facilities in the United States could offer rehabilitation, education, mental health services, and sanitary cells to accommodate inmates. Essay Discussion Questions 1. Fully discuss some of the changes that agencies have had to make to be more inclusive of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population. American police agencies have always been a male dominant profession and it is also a paramilitary, conservative and structured organization. In general, the gay and lesbian community is not accepted in the criminal justice system because of the “stigma that still surrounds openly gay persons in organizational cultures such as police agencies” (Hanser & Gomila, 2015, p. 91). Gay and lesbian individuals who are interested in a career in law enforcement will face many challenges beginning from the recruitment phase, and pretty much for the rest of their career. Hanser and Gomila (2015) noted, “Psychological exam administered to LAPD applicants contained questions inquiring into the applicant’s attraction to members of the same sex” (p. 93). Discrimination practices against gays and lesbians were allowed in many police departments during the 1980s and 1990s; furthermore, if an officer is identified as homosexual then they are automatically terminated (Hanser & Gomila, 2015). Law enforcement organizations have always been a masculine domination, and police officers are portrayed as tough crime fighters. Most heterosexual male officers believed that their profession is reserved for the fittest and strong willed. That being said, “a male officer’s self-esteem can be threatened by
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Discuss the history and role of women in: a. policing; b. the judiciary; c. corrections; or d. juvenile justice (pick option a, b, c, or d for this question).
The field of law enforcement has always been a male dominant profession in the early days of America policing, and women were not seen as capable of performing police tasks usually done by men. Hanser and Gomila (2015) noted, “In early U.S. history, women who worked in law enforcement usually did so in positions that dealt with social service functions, clerical work, juvenile work, or vice investigations” (p. 76). Through perseverance and hardship, women have transformed their stereotypical role of social work and took on tasks that were traditionally held for male
Discuss the history and role of women in: a. policing; b. the judiciary; c. corrections; or d. juvenile justice (pick option a, b, c, or d for this question).
The field of law enforcement has always been a male dominant profession in the early days of America policing, and women were not seen as capable of performing police tasks usually done by men. Hanser and Gomila (2015) noted, “In early U.S. history, women who worked in law enforcement usually did so in positions that dealt with social service functions, clerical work, juvenile work, or vice investigations” (p. 76). Through perseverance and hardship, women have transformed their stereotypical role of social work and took on tasks that were traditionally held for male