Assessing the Needs of Women in Institutional Therapeutic Communities

This study outlines the treatment needs of women offenders entering prison-based therapeutic communities, known as institutional therapeutic communities (ITCs). Intake data for 4,509 women and 3,595 men from 15 ITCs were compared. Results show that men and women entering prison treatment differ with regard to their substance abuse problems, psychological functioning, sexual/physical abuse histories, employment histories, and child support activity. Women have more severe drug use histories and psychological impairment, were more likely to use prescription drugs, and to report histories of sexual/physical abuse. Men were more likely to have been employed, completed high school, and to plan to support their children upon release. It appears that women entering treatment programs in state prisons are at a substantial disadvantage compared with their male counterparts.