Mass incarceration is a racial and economic issue, but it is also a women's issue. The number of women in the U.S. prison system has grown by over 700% since 1980. This is significantly higher than the overall growth rate of the prison population, which has risen by around 500% in the same time period.
Texas ranks in the top ten among the states with the highest female incarceration rate. The Texas
female incarceration rate has increased 908% since 1980, compared to an increase of 396% for the
male population. Texas now incarcerates more women, in sheer numbers, than any other state.
Texas Women on Parole
44% of incarcerated women across the U.S. have not graduated from high school or obtained a GED.
Women in TDCJ also outpace their male counterparts when it comes to substance abuse disorders, with 70% of women identified as suffering from a substance abuse disorder vs. 58% of men.
The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition’s survey of hundreds of incarcerated women revealed that more than half of all respondents had previously been sexually assaulted, while 82% had been victims of domestic violence.
Of female parole revocations, 21% were for a “technical” violation. In other words, nearly a quarter of female parole violations were for failure to comply with the terms of parole, not for a new offense. Similar to probation revocations among women, this lack of success under supervision points to the need for more effective assistance to help female parolees live stable, productive lives in the community.
These statistics highlight the gravity of the issues within the criminal justice system in the US, making one wonder what can be done to change the culture. EWOP is an innovative program that provides incarcerated women the opportunity to improve behaviors, define who they truly are, and understand their full potential. With a focus on leadership, career development and entrepreneurial training, EWOP can bring about change in these women’s lives inside the prison and post release. Our inside out processes are strategically designed for long term life change and success.
*Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, 2019
Women in TDCJ also outpace their male counterparts when it comes to substance abuse disorders, with 70% of women identified as suffering from a substance abuse disorder vs. 58% of men.
The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition’s survey of hundreds of incarcerated women revealed that more than half of all respondents had previously been sexually assaulted, while 82% had been victims of domestic violence.
Of female parole revocations, 21% were for a “technical” violation. In other words, nearly a quarter of female parole violations were for failure to comply with the terms of parole, not for a new offense. Similar to probation revocations among women, this lack of success under supervision points to the need for more effective assistance to help female parolees live stable, productive lives in the community.
These statistics highlight the gravity of the issues within the criminal justice system in the US, making one wonder what can be done to change the culture. EWOP is an innovative program that provides incarcerated women the opportunity to improve behaviors, define who they truly are, and understand their full potential. With a focus on leadership, career development and entrepreneurial training, EWOP can bring about change in these women’s lives inside the prison and post release. Our inside out processes are strategically designed for long term life change and success.
*Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, 2019