Denied, Disrespected, Doubted, and Discarded: Women's Criminal Convictions and Experiences of Discrimination

Authors

Brian Wyant, La Salle UniversityFollow
Holly Harner, University of Pennsylvania
Brian Lockwood, Monmouth University

ORCID

0000-0002-7974-6619

Abstract

This study surveyed over 400 incarcerated women in a medium-maximum security prison in the United States to assess their experiences of discrimination due to their criminal conviction. Over 60% of the participants indicated they had been discriminated against due to their felon status. Binary logistic models revealed that discrimination based on prison status can occur both inside and outside of prison but varies by race and length of stay. Similarly, qualitative results showed that during and after their incarceration, these women reported being denied jobs, disrespected and viewed as incapable of changing. Some women even anticipated they would experience discrimination upon release.

Recommended Citation

Wyant, Brian; Harner, Holly; and Lockwood, Brian (2023) "Denied, Disrespected, Doubted, and Discarded: Women's Criminal Convictions and Experiences of Discrimination," Midwest Social Sciences Journal: Vol. 26: Iss. 1, Article 11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22543/2766-0796.1118
Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/mssj/vol26/iss1/11