By Kenia Miranda Verdugo
Incarcerated women face distinct challenges that are often overlooked. In California, they comprise 4% of the incarcerated population. Representing over 3K women, we must understand their unique needs and support them—both during incarceration and reintegration. The need to support women, especially incarcerated women, was further highlighted by the recent election.
Most incarcerated women are mothers and heads of households. Due to their generational impact, there is a significant need to invest in them. Understanding this, on November 14th, the Michelson 20MM Foundation hosted “Pathways From Prison to College In Action: Unlocking Resources for Incarcerated Women.” During the webinar, we discussed gender-based needs, ways to support women, and showcased organizations that are helping systems-impacted women in prison.
Unique Challenges Faced by Systems-Impacted Women
We’ve all heard of the school-to-prison pipeline, but what about those who were born into the system? As someone who directly experienced the criminalization of women of color, April Grayson shared her journey. Born with parents in the system, transitioning into foster care, experiencing juvenile detention, and ultimately prison, Grayson reminded attendees that children can be groomed for prison. “I was a person who was born into the system…. I was groomed for prison,” she said. “I was already conditioned to believe that the officers were not going to give me any respect.”
Our incredible panelists are now working on the ground to support incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women. They shared the following challenges that these women face:
- Healthcare and Reproductive Rights: Women in prison face significant challenges related to healthcare, including access to reproductive care, mental health services, and basic gynecological care. Many incarcerated women are also mothers. Addressing maternal health and child custody issues is crucial for maintaining family bonds. Additionally, incarcerated women need safe, adequate care, but correctional facilities often lack that.
- Trauma and Mental Health: A significant proportion of systems-impacted women have experienced trauma, including physical and sexual abuse. Carceral environments exacerbate the emotional and psychological scars of trauma, as women often receive inadequate mental health care. Trauma-informed care is critical for healing and thriving. Many facilities do not have the resources to provide this support.
- Economic and Educational Support: Many women enter prison with limited economic opportunities and education. Providing access to education, vocational training, and job programs is key to their successful reentry. Furthermore, support in finding employment after release is critical to reduce recidivism.
- Motherhood and Family Bonds: Systems-impacted women face a unique challenge in maintaining relationships with their children. Disrupting family bonds harms both mothers and children. Programs that support family reunification, parenting classes, and visits help preserve vital connections during incarceration.
- Gender-Specific Security and Safety Needs: Women in prison face specific concerns related to safety and abuse. The male-dominated environment in many correctional facilities can lead to gender-based violence, including sexual assault and harassment. Ensuring safe, supportive environments tailored to women’s needs is essential, especially in prisons that are not designed for women.
How We Can Support Incarcerated Women
Jane Dorotik shared how in prison, women must support each other for survival. “The unique needs of incarcerated women are never addressed or considered. In fact, [they are] enhanced in the justice system with a punitive approach,” Dorotik reflected. “Very many people do get helped in prison but it’s in spite of the system, not because of it.”
Addressing the needs of incarcerated women requires systemic changes, better access to services, and a commitment to their dignity and rights. Our panelists shared key ways to provide better support:
- Implement Trauma-Informed Practices: The correctional system should prioritize trauma-informed care, providing counseling and psychological support for women who have experienced abuse. Training staff to recognize and respond to trauma can help create a safer and more supportive environment.
- Expand Access to Reproductive and Maternal Healthcare: Incarcerated women must have access to comprehensive reproductive health services, including prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care. Ensuring access to family planning services and reproductive rights upholds women’s autonomy in the prison system.
- Increase Educational and Vocational Opportunities: Expanding educational programs, job training, and rehabilitation efforts helps incarcerated women gain skills for post-release success. This increases the chances of reentry into the workforce and reduces the likelihood of reoffending.
- Support Family Reunification Programs: Facilitating strong family connections during incarceration supports women’s emotional well-being and their children’s welfare. Programs that allow for regular family visits, as well as parenting education, can help preserve these bonds.
- Improve Safety and Create Gender-Responsive Prisons: Women’s prisons should be designed to meet gender-specific needs, providing safer, more supportive environments to reduce sexual violence and harassment. Gender-responsive policies must be prioritized to improve safety, health, and overall well-being.
- Invest in Post-Release Support: The transition from incarceration to life outside can be daunting, especially for women facing stigma, economic hardship, and social isolation. Offering continued mental health support, assistance with finding stable housing, and access to job placement programs are vital for reducing recidivism and ensuring a successful reintegration into society.
Prisons have been active in California since 1851, yet we have failed to humanize the incarcerated population ever since. Leesa Nomura shared one of the things that shocked her the most about entering the prison system. “I remember feeling like there was no one in this experience who was treating me like a human and walking the path of hundreds of people before me. There was no hope in my experience.”
After almost 200 years, we still are not truly rehabilitating our incarcerated population. This is not to undermine our strides, i.e. closing the Department of Juvenile Justice, incorporating educational programming, providing healing arts, creating workforce pathways in prison; however, we still have a ways to go.
Our panelists also believe in prison abolition. Recalling that only 4% of the incarcerated population in the state are women, the panelists shared that California is uniquely positioned to lead the effort of eradicating women’s carceral institutions. Investing prison funds into community programs for women would allow society to support them financially, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Recognizing women’s needs—health, trauma, family, safety—creates systems that support them during incarceration and empower them post-release. Systemic changes, increased resources, and community involvement ensure incarcerated women are treated with dignity and respect, paving the way for a more just and rehabilitative system.
Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.
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