Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Women in Australian prisons: the cycle of abuse and dysfunctional environments
Other Titles:	The prison journal
Authors:	Easteal, Patricia Weiser
Keywords:	Drug and alcohol misuse
Year:	2001
Publisher:	Sage Publications
Citation:	81 (1), March 2001
Notes:	Explores the treatment of female prison inmates in Australia, focusing on how the three rules of dysfunctional environments, ‘Don’t talk’, ‘Don’t trust’ and ‘Don’t feel’, frequently linked to childhood or adult experiences of violence and often culminating in drug and/or alcohol abuse, operate within, and are perpetuated by, the legal and correctional systems. Reviews ABS statistics on the incidence and prevalence of female incarceration, discusses how these figures compare with male rates and highlights some of the consequences of this disparity. Drawing analogies between the women’s prison environment and that of the family, it is contended that power within the prison culture exists on many levels and that its structure perpetuates silence on issues like drug abuse, sexual abuse and assault in prison, creates an environment in which prisoners cannot trust those in authority to meet their physical, emotional and psychological needs and encourages the suppression of pain and anger, through practices such as strip searching and sedation, leading to a higher risk of both recidivism and suicide/self harm. Argues that without a recognition of the patriarchal nature of systems both in and outside the prison walls and the need for educational, counselling and rehabilitation opportunities for women in prison, the cycle of violence, crime and imprisonment cannot be broken.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/12208
ISSN:	0032-8555
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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