Rising incarceration rates have had many unexpected consequences, but one that deserves greater attention is how these rates have affected the incarcerated female population.
Throughout history, females have been sparsely represented in jails and prisons, however, this has been dramatically changing in the last thirty years. While incarceration rates have risen overall, the incarceration rate of females rose by 646 percent. This was 150 percent greater than the rise among the male population.
There are many particular aspects of female incarceration that merit consideration. From family separation – and even removal – to higher medical costs, rising female incarceration should cause concern.
Read more by Right on Crime Research Associate Dianna Muldrow in the McAllen Monitor.