Women constitute a vulnerable group in prisons due to their gender. They face unique challenges compared to their male counterparts. These challenges include: a high level of mental healthcare needs, domestic violence and sexual abuse against women in prison. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to assess the challenges female inmates face in Dessie correctional center in South Wollo zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia.
To conduct this study, mixed research approach employed. The sources of data were primary; questionnaire, key informant interview and focus group discussion and secondary sources; published and unpublished materials. To accomplish the study, all women inmates were selected as sample of the study by using comprehensive sampling and key informants were selected by using purposive judgmental sampling. The obtained data was analyzed and interpreted both quantitatively and qualitatively.
The study finding disclosed that, the number of women prisoners is increasing from time to time within the institution, The study further shows that, lack of sufficient special diet, sleeping materials, health care, food and other services of children in the correctional center. The study shows that children’s are socialized deviant behavior and it has negative effect on their future life. Furthermore, the study reveals that women inmates faced problems related to the working rules of the institution.
In conclusion, the study recommends that the government should aware the society about crime, health service in the institution should be improved by qualified health professionals, the correction administration has to be made more sensitive and responsive to the problems of the children of imprisoned mothers and the working rules of the institution should be improved based on the special needs of female inmates.
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1. Background of the Study
1.2. Statement of the Problem
1.3. Objectives of the Study
1.3.1. General Objective
1.3.2. Specific Objectives
1.4. Significance of the Study
1.5. Scope of the Study
1.6. Limitations of the Study
1.7. Challenges in Conducting the Study
1.8. Operational Definitions
1.9. Organization of the Paper
Chapter Two: Review of Literature
2.1. Basic Concepts
2.1.1. Correctional Institution
2.1.2. Prison
2.1.3. Female Inmate
2.1.4. Vocational and Educational Programs
2.2. Issues Women Inmates Face in Correctional Center
2.2.1. Sexual Abuse
2.2.2. Physical and Mental Health Care of Women Inmates
2.2.3. Pregnancy
2.3. The Situation of Children inside Prison
2.4. Correctional Institution Policies
2.4.1. Policies Regarding Health Treatment in Prison
2.4.2. The Interaction between Male Inmates and Female Inmates
2.4.3. Gender Responsive Correctional System for Women Prisoners
2.5. Theoretical Frame Work about Women Criminality
2.5.1. General Strain Theory
2.5.2. Goffman’s “total institutions”
2.5.3. Feminist Theory
2.6. Conceptual Framework
Chapter Three: Research Method
3.1. Description of Study Area
3.2. Study Design
3.3. Research Approach
3.4. Sources of Data
3.4.1. Primary Source of Data
3.4.2. Secondary Sources of Data
3.5. Methods of Data Collection and Instruments
3.5.1. Survey
3.5.2. Key Informant Interview (KII)
3.5. 3. Focus Group Discussion (FGD)
3.6. Study Population and Sampling Design
3.7. Procedures of Data Collection
3.8. Method of Data Analysis
3.9. Plans for Data Quality Assurance
3.10. Ethical Considerations
Chapter Four: Result and Discussion
4.1. Background Characteristics of Respondents
4.2. Trends and Existing Situations of Woman Inmates in Correctional Center
4.3. Health Care Challenges that Women Faced in the Correctional Center
4.4. Effects of Imprisonment of Mother on the Children in the Correctional Center
4.5. Institutional Challenges and Treatments for women Inmates
4.6. Discussion
Chapter Five: Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Conclusion
5.2. Recommendation
Objectives and Core Topics
The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the specific challenges faced by female inmates within the Dessie Correctional Center in Ethiopia. The study examines how social, economic, and institutional factors intersect to impact the lives of women in incarceration and their children residing with them in the facility.
- The influence of rapid socio-economic changes and urbanization on rising female incarceration rates.
- Health care accessibility and the prevalence of physical and sexual abuse within the prison environment.
- The psychological and social consequences of maternal imprisonment on children living in correctional settings.
- The role of existing prison policies and institutional frameworks in addressing or exacerbating the needs of female inmates.
- Theoretical perspectives on women’s criminality, utilizing Feminist Theory, General Strain Theory, and Goffman’s “total institutions” concept.
Excerpt from the Book
2.5.1. General Strain Theory
GST came into being in an attempt to address the inadequacies of the classical strain theories. Strain theory contends that the inability of individuals to achieve positively valued goals through legitimate means results in frustration and this, in turn, may ultimately lead to delinquency and crime. Agnew’s general strain theory, an expanded and more inclusive version of Robert Merton’s strain theory, explains that criminal behavior rises in association with several types of social strain. While Merton’s strain theory indicated that deviancy comes from the inability to achieve societal goals, like monetary success, Agnew instead casts a wider net to include emotional, cognitive, and behavioral strains (Agnew 1992).
In applying GST to explaining female crime, females are subjected to more strain than males particularly if one considers that the literature on stress often overlooks stressors that may be of special relevance to females, for example, sexual abuse, abortion, gender-based discrimination, child care problems and the burdens associated with nurturing others (Broidy and Agnew 1997: 278).
Broidy and Agnew (1997: 284) note that: “Certain data suggest that females are less likely to possess certain effective coping resources: especially a sense of mastery and positive self-esteem … Low mastery and self-esteem reduce women’s ability to effectively cope with strain.”
Furthermore, Chesney-Lind and Sheldon (1992) suggest that women are especially concerned with the establishment and maintenance of interpersonal ties with other people and this, in turn, influences their criminal behavior. However, the high rates of divorce and abuse in many relationships often make it impossible for many women to achieve interpersonal closeness with others (Chesney-Lind 1986). The strain that is experienced as a result of these failed relationships in the lives of several female offenders has been linked to their criminal behavior (Broidy and Agnew 1997: 289). In other words, the increasing breakdown of interpersonal relationships between females and the individuals with whom they share close and/or intimate ties may be responsible for the increasing number of female offenders.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter One: Introduction: This chapter provides the foundation for the study, covering the background, problem statement, research objectives, and the significance of investigating female incarceration in the Ethiopian context.
Chapter Two: Review of Literature: This section explores fundamental concepts related to prisons and female inmates, while establishing a theoretical framework using General Strain Theory, Goffman’s “total institutions,” and Feminist Theory.
Chapter Three: Research Method: The chapter details the study area, research design, and the mixed-methods approach utilized to gather and analyze data from the Dessie Correctional Center.
Chapter Four: Result and Discussion: This chapter presents the findings derived from surveys, interviews, and discussions, analyzing demographic data, health challenges, and the impact of incarceration on children.
Chapter Five: Conclusion and Recommendation: The final chapter summarizes the research conclusions and proposes policy recommendations to improve the treatment and living conditions of female inmates and their children.
Keywords
Correctional Center, Female Inmates, Prison, Ethiopia, General Strain Theory, Feminist Theory, Goffman’s Total Institutions, Maternal Imprisonment, Health Care Challenges, Social Deviance, Incarceration, Rehabilitation, Dessie, Institutional Policies, Gender-Responsive Programming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research primarily assesses the unique challenges faced by women incarcerated in the Dessie Correctional Center, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia, focusing on health care, social issues, and institutional policy.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The core themes include the rising trend of female imprisonment, the impact of prison conditions on female health, the status of children living in prison with their mothers, and the influence of institutional rules on female inmates.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the challenges—such as health care access, physical/sexual abuse, and lack of specialized support—faced by women in the Dessie prison to inform policy improvements.
What scientific methodology was employed?
The study utilized a mixed-methods research approach, combining quantitative data from surveys with qualitative insights from key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs).
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body integrates theoretical frameworks with empirical results, detailing the background of respondents, their criminal history, and the specific daily struggles they encounter within the prison environment.
How can this study be characterized by its keywords?
The study is defined by terms such as female inmates, correctional center, institutional policies, maternal imprisonment, and the application of criminological theories like General Strain Theory to a specific African context.
Why is the issue of children living in the prison emphasized?
The study highlights that children in prison face severe disadvantages, including a lack of proper nutrition, limited educational opportunities, and exposure to deviant socialization, which significantly affects their development.
How do institutional rules affect female inmates in the Dessie Correctional Center?
The study reveals that current prison rules, which are often modeled on policies for male offenders, fail to address the specific needs of women, such as providing for pregnancy, childcare, or adequate health services.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Tomas Tsegaye (Autor:in), 2018, What Are the Challenges of Women in Incarceration? The Case of Dessie Correctional Center, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/511267
