Women who have been in prison often isolate themselves, thus missing the needed healing that would come from connecting with others who has shared experiences.
I have been attending the BCMM Returning Citizens Online Support Group since its start. Over the past several months I have found it to be informative and a safe place for individuals to openly and freely discuss their shared experiences. The connection has been very inspiring and uplifting to see individuals come together and learn that they are not alone and to hear their challenges through someone else’s words. To get useful advice that would not have been shared from someone who has never experienced prison. This group have gone even further and provided employment connections and other helpful resources among themselves.
Unfortunately, I have been the only woman who has consistently attended this online support group, which is somewhat disturbing to me. There have been a few females here and there that have dropped in, but they shy away from the very help they need.
It is well known that women who have been in prison face a complex and interconnected set of issues upon release, which are often more severe and distinct than those faced by men. These challenges include:
Health and Mental Health Issues
- High Rates of Trauma: A significant majority (up to 96%) of incarcerated women have a history of trauma or abuse (physical, sexual, emotional), which can be re-traumatized by prison environments and impact their post-release mental health.
- Mental and Physical Health Conditions: Women report higher rates of mental illness (such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders) and chronic physical health conditions compared to both non-incarcerated women and incarcerated men.
- Substance Use Disorders (SUDs): A high percentage of women meet the criteria for a SUD before prison, and there is a heightened risk of overdose and death in the immediate period after release.
- Barriers to Healthcare: Accessing healthcare is difficult due to a lack of insurance (Medicaid often doesn’t cover incarcerated individuals), cost concerns, and a scarcity of gender-responsive, trauma-informed treatment programs in the community.
Economic and Housing Instability
- Employment Barriers: Women often have less education and work experience than men prior to incarceration and face significant stigma from employers. A criminal record makes it difficult to get a job, with some studies showing women with records are less likely to receive a callback for an interview than men with records.
- Occupational Licensing Restrictions: Many jobs in female-dominated fields (e.g., healthcare support, personal care) require licenses, which can be difficult or impossible to obtain with a felony conviction.
- Housing Challenges: Finding safe, affordable, and stable housing is a primary concern. Many women are denied housing due to their criminal records and face a higher risk of homelessness than formerly incarcerated men, sometimes forcing them to return to abusive or high-risk environments.
- Financial Strain: Many struggle to afford necessities like food, housing, and transportation, and are often banned from receiving social safety net benefits like food stamps or cash assistance due to drug-related felony convictions.
Family Reunification and Social Support
- Parenting Challenges: The majority of incarcerated women are mothers and primary caregivers for their children. They face significant legal and logistical hurdles in regaining custody after release, including strict laws that can terminate parental rights if they do not maintain contact (which is often difficult from prison).
- Strained Relationships: Incarceration can damage family and social support networks. Many women lack friends or family nearby to ask for help, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- Social Stigma: The “criminal” label creates an ongoing stigma that affects all aspects of reintegration, from job hunting to social acceptance.
Addressing these deeply interconnected and gender-specific issues is crucial for successful reentry and to prevent recidivism.
I do not know of nor have heard of an online support group for formerly incarcerated women where they can feel safe and discuss their issues, learn what others have done, and obtain resources. We at BCMM want to fill that void. If you know of a formerly incarcerated woman or a group that helps formerly incarcerated women, please share this site information with them.
Learn more about Post Incarceration Syndrome [PICS]: Understanding Post-Incarceration Syndrome – Breaking Chains Mending Minds.