Empowering female offenders: A model and framework for practice

Research has shown that a large proportion of female offenders were victims of multiple abuse and neglect as children and adults. This history is assumed to be a major contributor to their mental health problems, substance use disorders, and crime. Having grown up in dysfunctional families, in which one or more members used substances and/or engaged in criminal activities or family violence, women offenders typically possess inadequate coping strategies, and this is often complicated by poor socialization skills and chaotic personal relationships. However, despite the rich evidence of the traumatic background of women offenders and their poor coping strategies, neither the community nor the correctional system provide them with adequate, comprehensive treatment to address their needs. As a result, they often return to the same environment they came from without the coping skills necessary to succeed, and this results in a high rate of recidivism. The aim of this narrative review was to outline a practical framework for implementing an empowerment model for women offenders guided by a positive psychology approach. The cornerstones of the comprehensive empowerment practice model presented here are aimed at developing gender-responsive interventions that address the unique needs of female offenders. Addressing these needs while the women are still in prison and after their release can promote sense of wellbeing and facilitate successful reintegration into society.