Although girls and women represent only a minority of the forensic mental health and prison populations, studies worldwide suggest that there has been a steady increase in the number of females being convicted for committing offenses, especially violent offenses. In this chapter, an overview will be provided on the specific risks and needs of female offenders and the relevance of gender-responsive treatment in forensic mental health services. First, the literature into the prevalence and nature of offending by females will be reviewed, with a focus on violent offending. Next, the most recent knowledge in the field will be summarized with respect to gender-sensitive risk assessment and gender-responsive treatment in forensic mental health care. Finally, some recommendations will be provided for mental health professionals working with females in forensic mental health services and for future research.
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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence of psychopathology including substance use disorders in a sample of detained female systematic offenders.Design/methodology/approach – All case files of female systematic offenders who had been subjected to a special court order for systematic offenders in the period 2004-2014 were studied. A total of 81 fairly complete case files were selected for the study. These were all systematic offenders as they had been sentenced for at least 25 offences with an average of 102 offences over a period of 17.5 years. Findings – All except one woman were addicted to substances in the past year, with an average duration of addiction of 21 years. In addition, 53 per cent were diagnosed with another DSM Axis I disorder and 73 per cent were diagnosed with a personality disorder. Furthermore, 32-59 per cent were found to haveintellectual dysfunctions. In total, 12 per cent had one type of the above disorders, 43 per cent two types, 31 per cent three types and 14 per cent all four types. The prevalence rates of these disorders were higher than those reported in other prison studies.Research limitations/implications – It is concluded that female systematic offenders can be characterised as problematic in many respects. Even in such a problematic group treatment can be provided.Originality/value – The present study is the only study that provides prevalence data of mental disorders among female systematic offenders.
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Previous research has shown that female persistent offenders have multiple psychiatric and psychosocial problems, such as substance use disorders, other mental disorders, financial problems and housing problems. The present study examined recidivism and predictors of recidivism in a sample of 74 Dutch female high level persistent offenders who had been subjected to a special court order for persistent offenders, called ISD [Inrichting Stelselmatige Daders]. The criminal records were studied to gain insight in the criminal charges against women after release from the ISD. Results showed that 43% of the persistent female offenders had registered justice contacts within one year after release, of which the majority concerned non-violent property offences. However, the number of offences was found to be significantly reduced after their release. No offence-related, demographic, substance-related, psychiatric or personal history characteristics were found to be predictive for general recidivism.
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