Female inmates are in need of specific treatment for physical and sexual abuse they endured as children and adults, according to new research from Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital.
According to study author Dr. Flora Matheson, the need for these services is particularly great for aboriginal women, who are “grossly over-represented” in Canada’s prison population.
While substance abuse programs are offered for female offenders in Canadian prisons, Matheson writes, screening and treatment for trauma have not been made a priority in the system.
Canada does not collect data on the number of inmates who have experienced trauma in their lifetime. But estimates out of the United States suggest that between 25 and 90 per cent of female prisoners have experienced childhood physical and sexual abuse by their caregivers.
There are also high rates of re-victimization as adults, as well as incidents of spousal violence, Matheson writes.
This is especially true for aboriginal inmates, Matheson says, noting that many of them have not only experienced violence first hand. They have also seen family members and friends endure violence and abuse, as well.
Aboriginal women may make up 3.8 per cent of the Canadian population, but represent some 41 per cent of the prison population.
Matheson suggests that women be screened for traumatic experiences when they are admitted to the prison system, and then again when they are released, in order to get a clearer picture of the scope of the problem.
This way, programs can be developed for women while they care incarcerated. They can also be referred to community programs when they are released.
"Then trauma-specific services can be implemented, enabling women to link their traumatic life histories, familial dysfunction, substance abuse, mental health issues and criminality together so as to gain an understanding of their triggers, behaviours and cognitions," Matheson writes.
Her paper was published Tuesday in the journal Women and Criminal Justice.
