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Abstract: 

This article summarizes the results of the author’s discussions with correctional officials across the United States concerning the lack of classification tools for women offenders. Results of the assessment support concerns regarding the validity, legality, and relevance of classification. The results also provide direction to National Institute of Correction’s efforts to work with states to improve these systems. This survey is essential in this regard, because extant literature is unclear about what the purpose of classifying women offenders should be, and there are so few validation studies involving women offenders that it was not possible to determine whether existing systems meet any purposes of corrections.

Keywords: gender

Affiliations:  1: University of Cincinnati; 2: University of Tennessee.