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Women Should NOT Be Used To Create More Alternatives To Prison

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It is believed that because of the unique problems that women have, they should be given more alternatives to prison. Unique has been defined as “having no like, or equal” or “not typical, or unusual.” Typically when we think of unique problems, we assume that they are problems with exceptional circumstances, thought that is not always the case.

According to the crc website, “more than 25% of women sentenced to a prison are sentenced for property offences such as shoplifting or fraud. Others are sentenced for “moral” and public order offences, drinking offences or drug offences. Only 9% of women have committed violent offences and these are primarily minor assaults. On average, women receive shorter sentences than men.

When the unique problems are brought up by the females, the primary one is usually regarding their children. However, this is not only a problem for women, as there are many single fathers who face this problem as well that are not offered any alternatives to prison or alternatives within the prison. Using the excuse that women should have more alternatives just because they have given birth to a child should not be a valid argument. …show more content…

Usually the mental issues that are faced by women in prison are quite different than those of men. Though understandably these issues are quite serious, it should not be used to create more alternatives. I found an example in the course pack which states that “many women are survivors of childhood and adult abuse and the post-traumatic effects of that abuse often affects their mental health.” Agreed that women suffer abuse which leads to mental issues, but this is not just an issue for women alone. Men suffer as well, but how likely is it that we will see them being rewarded with alternatives? Not very likely at

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