Criminology Concepts

• Cacogenic Family Studies were studies that explored "bad genes" in families that were used to justify eugenics historically.
• Eugenics was a now-discredited movement that aimed to improve human populations through controlled breeding.
• Statutory Sex Crimes are sexual offenses where one party is below the legal age of consent.
• Evil Woman Hypothesis is a theory stating that women who commit crimes are judged more harshly than men because they violate both legal and gender norms.
• Upcriming is the process of increasing the severity of charges or criminal penalties, often influenced by social and political factors.
• Widening the Net refers to expanding the scope of criminal justice intervention to include behaviors that were previously not criminalized.
• Filicide is the act of a parent killing their child.
• Feminist Criminology is a perspective in criminology that examines how gender inequality influences crime and justice.
• Chivalry Hypothesis says women receive more lenient treatment in the criminal justice system because of societal protective attitudes.
• Just World Hypothesis is the belief that people get what they deserve, influencing biases in criminal justice decisions.
• Feminist Theory of Delinquency explores how gender-based socialization and victimization lead to female delinquency.
• Routine Activities Theory states crime occurs when a motivated offender meets a suitable target without adequate protection.
• Lifestyle Theory suggests criminal victimization is linked to a person's lifestyle and activities.
• Liberation Thesis is the argument that as women gain more social freedom, their crime rates will more closely resemble men’s.
• Strain Theory suggests that crime results from the disconnect between societal goals and the means available to achieve them.
• Differential Association Theory proposes people learn criminal behavior through interactions with others.
• Social Control Theory argues that strong social bonds discourage individuals from engaging in criminal behavior.
• Economic Marginalization Theory suggests financial instability leads to increased criminal activity among women.
• Conspiracy Laws allow for the prosecution of people who plan or participate in crimes, even if they don’t directly commit them.
• Proximity Laws criminalize people based on their association with criminal activity rather than direct participation.
• Glover v. Johnson (1979) was a court case that ruled women in prison must receive equal educational and rehabilitative opportunities as men.
• Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, relevant in cases of prison conditions and excessive sentencing.
• Welfare Reform Act (1996) put restrictions on aid for people, including formerly incarcerated women.
• Drug Court is a specialized court designed to handle drug-related offenses with a focus on rehabilitation.
• Dependency Drug Court is a type of drug court focusing on cases where parental substance abuse threatens child welfare.
• 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act introduced mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses, disproportionately affecting women and minorities.
• Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 reduced sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine offenses.
• Empowerment Theory is a framework that emphasizes personal strengths, self-efficacy, and resilience in overcoming adversity.
• Co-occurring Disorder is the presence of both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder in an individual.

Typical Gendered Pathway for Female Offenders & Gender-Specific Programming

• Women often enter the criminal justice system due to economic marginalization, trauma, mental health issues, and substance abuse.
• Childhood victimization and unhealthy relationships often contribute to criminal behavior.
• Gender-specific programming is designed to address these unique pathways with services such as trauma-informed care, parenting classes, and substance abuse treatment.
• These programs help women break cycles of abuse and addiction, reducing recidivism.

Need for Care vs. Level of Care for Female Offenders

• Female offenders have higher rates of mental health disorders, substance abuse, and chronic medical conditions than men.
• The level of care provided in women’s prisons is often inadequate
• Many women do not receive necessary mental health care, and substance abuse treatment is rarely available.
• Medical neglect is common, and practices such as shackling during childbirth raise human rights concerns.

A Systems Approach to Female Offending & Necessary Program Components

• A systems approach treats female offenders as displaced community members, emphasizing rehabilitation rather than punishment.
• Successful community corrections, prison, or re-entry programs should include:
• Trauma-informed care to address past victimization to reduce recidivism.
• Substance abuse treatment since drug addiction is a primary driver of female offending.
• Vocational training and education to equip women with skills for employment.
• Family reunification programs to support parenting and stable home environments.
• These approaches help address the root causes of female offending and facilitate successful reintegration into society.