Incarcerated women ’s lived experience: a study in Dessie and Woldia correctional centers, Ethiopia

This study aims to examine the reasons for and the challenges of women’s incarceration coupled with the threats for their reintegration upon release with a focus on the correctional centers at Dessie and Woldia cities. This study used quantitative and qualitative research methods with cross-sectional and descriptive research design used to collect the quantitative data, and key informant interviews and participant observation were used to collect the qualitative data. A sample of 60 women prisoners was taken from both correctional centers. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, respectively Findings of the study indicate that family backgrounds, gender-based violence, illiteracy and socio-economic problems were the causes for the women’s imprisonment. The women perpetrators were mainly accused of theft, vandalism, murder and moral perversion. Poor detention environment, worry for the family breakup, emotional instability, financial hardships and deprivation of spiritual life were the major sources of distress among the incarcerated women, whereas social stigma, lack of trust and fear of revenge were the threats to reintegrate to their families and communities. This study involved incarcerated women at the correctional centers in Dessie and Woldia who committed various types of crimes. Because the informant women were imprisoned for violating certain established rules and regulations, they migh...
Source: Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice - Category: Criminology Authors: Source Type: research