Programs effective for female prisoners?

The Real Victory Program: Is it effective in reducing recidivism among previous female offenders?

The ways in which women and men differ are numerous.  These gender-specific differences can be found in why and how men and women commit crime.  These differences lead to questions such as, how does substance abuse affect a woman as opposed to a man?  If a woman receives treatment for her deviant behavior is she more or less likely to reoffend than a man who has gone through the same treatment?  What helps men and women make positive choices?  Questions such as these legitimized the formation of the Real Victory Program.  The goal of the Real Victory program is to determine what helps men and women offenders lower their rate of recidivism.  Recidivism refers to whether or not an individual will recommit crime after they have been released from their jail or prison sentence.  Real Victory is a unique program that is composed of two parts.  The first part of the program allows male and female offenders the opportunity to participate in a classroom that is based on a cognitive-behavioral model.  This model allows the offenders to realize how negative attitudes and beliefs can affect behavior and influence future choices.  After these classroom sessions participants are given a cell phone that serves as a reminder to them of their goals and aspirations.  This “phone coach” also provides messages of support from their family and friends so that when temptation arrives they will be more likely to make positive choices instead of following back into their bad habits. 

Sociology major and Women’s Studies minor Hana Germann will look specifically at the women involved in the Real Victory Program.  If the results collected about the Real Victory program show that it helps to lower the likelihood of recidivism among women, this program should be implemented in states and countries all over the world.  The reasons why women commit crime are numerous.  The Real Victory Program is a unique opportunity that may lead to a solution that will lower female recidivism and prevent future crime.  Hana will discuss her findings at the Women’s Studies Capstone Conference on April 11 at 10:00 am.