The Need
What is the need?
What is the need?
- More than 30,000 people are held in county prisons or jails in Pennsylvania
- Over 90 percent of the inmates incarcerated in PA state prisons will eventually be returned to the community
- National recidivism rate for women is 58%
- In our area, recidivism rate is 30%
- 65 counties face serious overcrowding problems
- 12 county jails – over 15% of the total in the state – were built in the 1800s
Who are these women?
Who are these women?
- Young, poor, under-educated (average age 25)
- Single mothers (66% have children under age 18)
- Non-violent offenders (forgery, stealing)
- Substance abusers
- Psychiatrically troubled
- Physical and sexual abuse victims
What are their offenses?
What are their offenses?
- Up to 80% have severe, long-standing substance abuse problems
- 21% are drug violators
- 54% have used illicit drugs in the month prior to their crimes
- 48% were under the influence of either alcohol or another drug when they committed their crime