Working with Women Offenders in the Community

The recent increase in women's incarceration around the world has generated significant interest in explaining this growth in numbers and identifying female offenders' distinctive circumstance and needs. It has also prompted a re-examination of community based alternatives to custody and whether and how enhancements to existing community based services might stem the flow of women to custody. This book concentrates on the needs of women who offend, the principles that inform the development of policies on which to build expertise in working with women in the community and gender responsive practices that have been implemented. What emerges from these initiatives is a template for effective community correctional interventions for women who offend.