Women in Prison Camp: Judicial Process and Effect on Families

The purpose of this small-scale study was to collect, analyze and publish opinions of women serving sentences for non-violent offenses in a minimum security US federal prison camp. Women completed anonymous surveys, which allowed the study participants to honestly relate their experiences with the justice system and convey the effects of their incarceration on their families and minor children.
The analysis revealed: predominance of non-violent first offenders in the camp, low recidivism, long sentences, predominance of white-collar and conspiracy charges, high rate of appeals, lengthy appeal process for women who maintain their innocence of criminal charges, few rehabilitation options in a camp and low restitution recovery, along with severe collateral damage to families and minor children.
This study intends to open a dialogue whether it is reasonable, humane and economically justifiable to continue sentencing non-violent first female offenders to prolonged incarceration for the sole purpose of punishment, without concern for collateral damage to dependent family and children and with no justification for public safety.