Pubdate: Sun, 15 Jan 2006
Source: Duluth News-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2006 Duluth News-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/553
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/women.htm (Women)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

STATE PUTS MORE FOCUS ON FEMALE INMATES

FOND DU LAC, Wis. - As the number of female prison inmates in
Wisconsin increases, state officials are developing and enhancing
programs meant to help them change their lives.

Wisconsin's prison system includes nearly 1,300 female inmates, a
number that has increased fivefold in the past 15 years, according to
the state Department of Corrections.

Woman account for 6 percent of the nearly 22,000 adults serving prison
terms in Wisconsin.

Nationally, the number of female inmates jumped from about 12,000 in
1980 to about 105,000 in 2004, according to the U.S. Department of
Justice.

The war on drugs and tougher sentencing laws helped cause the
increase, according to criminologists, sociologists and advocates.
More female inmates has meant more children left behind, and often
more problems for those kids.

Wisconsin inmates and their children are getting more consideration
under an initiative called the Kids First Campaign that Gov. Jim Doyle
launched in 2004.

The state Department of Corrections announced last year it was
reorganizing to create a separate and single operational structure for
female inmates.

The agency currently is planning for new and enhanced programs it
hopes will help female inmates and break the cycle of
incarceration.

"What we are looking to do, in the long run, is reduce the number of
children who grow up and commit offenses," Corrections Secretary Matt
Frank said. "We've realized we needed a more dedicated approach to
dealing with female offenders."

The majority of female inmates are in prison for nonviolent offenses,
such as property or drug crimes, Frank said.

They also have more health care needs than men. They need pap smears,
mammograms and, for pregnant prisoners, prenatal, obstetrical and
postpartum care. They also have higher incidence of sexually
transmitted diseases and HIV infection.

Taycheedah Correctional Institution near Fond du Lac, the state's
largest prison for women, has the highest rate of mentally ill
offenders of all the state's 19 adult correctional
institutions.

Frank said the state plans to better address all of those
concerns.

"Typically, women prisoners suffer from a poor health history, drug
abuse, a history of sexual and/or physical abuse and mental illness,"
he said. "We are employing assessment and evaluation tools that are
specific to women."

The state also started a pilot program last fall to help women being
released from prison. The program is a collaboration between the
Departments of Corrections, Workforce Development and Health and
Family Services.

The long-term goal of the changes is to save money and
lives.

"The idea with Kids First is let's invest money early on and work on
prevention and early intervention so these kids won't grow up to be
involved in the criminal justice system," Frank said. "That's money
well spent."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake