In Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, the rate of female imprisonment has increased significantly since 1980. Although more men are incarcerated, the growth rate for female imprisonment has been twice as high as that of men. As of 2021, approximately 976,000 women are under the supervision of the criminal justice system.

 

• 82% of imprisoned women are subjected to sexual abuse as children

• 75% are victimized by domestic violence as adults

• 70% suffer from addiction 73% suffer from mental illness

• Just 14% of women in state prison have access to educational programming or substance use treatment

• 52% of women in prison have minor children

• 62% of women in ??? State prison were convicted of non-violent crimes