Study on incarcerated women in Arizona reveals prevalence of past abuse
Estrella Jail in Maricopa County, Arizona. Photo courtesy of the Watts College
Dominique Roe-Sepowitz has spent decades supporting vulnerable populations as a forensic social worker — a practitioner who bridges criminology, criminal justice and social work. But the results of her new study surprised even her.
Roe-Sepowitz, professor in the School of Social Work and director of the ASU Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research, recently released a report detailing a first-of-its-kind survey that examines the life experiences of incarcerated women and the prevalence of prior victimization.
The survey, completed at Estrella Jail in partnership with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, or MCSO, took a comprehensive review of the women's past — including in housing, education, health, exposure to violence and exploitation, and more — to better understand their traumas and tailor programs to address healing, encourage healthy relationships and potentially reduce recidivism.
“What we learned from the surveys was so much worse than I expected. I would boldly say that incarcerated women are among the most traumatized people in our country,” she said. “In no other population could we identify that 80% are victims of domestic violence or that 64% have experienced sexual violence as an adult.”
While the study revealed shocking levels of trauma, the research will allow the sheriff’s office to make data-driven decisions on new educational programs, staff training and policies, Roe-Sepowitz said.
Results from Estrella Jail life survey
- 80.1% victim of domestic violence.
- 62.2% victim of sexual assault as an adult.
- 50.9% victim of sex trafficking.
- 78.9% experienced homelessness.
- 58% experienced childhood emotional abuse.
- 50.5% experienced childhood physical abuse.
- 51.1% experienced childhood sexual abuse.
- 65.9% reported a drug addiction.
- 77% reported a mental health diagnosis.
- 76.3% reported history with self-harm.
- 59.1% have children under age 18.
- Respondents averaged 11th grade educational attainment.
“This study was incredibly difficult to do and hear, but the outcome has real promise to design programming in our jails that can address these traumatic experiences. These findings can be applied to other jails to design targeted programming,” she said.
MCSO Deputy Chief Brandon Smith, one of the study’s co-authors, agrees. He said the sheriff’s office was aware of the high rates of trauma experienced by incarcerated women, but data from the Estrella Jail survey demonstrates the pervasiveness and highlights opportunities for new educational classes and services.
MCSO is already working on implementing recommendations from the study. Smith is particularly interested in creating programming for those experiencing jail for the first time. Of the 408 survey participants, 14% identified as first-time offenders.
“We have a very small window for programs for these women because first-time offenders are in custody for about seven days,” he said. “We're trying to provide classes and other resources so they don't become a second- or third-time offender.”
In addition to educational support for first-time offenders, MCSO is working on classes about domestic violence, sexual abuse and trauma, as well as working with correctional health services to provide counseling on issues spotlighted by the survey’s results. The research will also be included in “detention academy,” MCSO’s 12-week staff training program.
Further, the report recommends enhancing the physical environment in the jail. Roe-Sepowitz is working with MCSO to make the environment less stark through trauma-informed recommendations such as adding therapeutic colors and thoughtful phrases on the wall that remind inmates of their value and strength.
Roe-Sepowitz credits the strong relationship between MCSO and the Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research with making the life experiences survey possible. Roe-Sepowitz and Smith have been working together since 2018 to identify detained women who are victims of trafficking.
“MCSO is actively partnering with us and making a difference in people's lives,” she said. “When we presented this study with the idea of increasing new programming targeted toward the needs of incarcerated women, they were very open to it.”
Smith said university faculty and students are a great resource for improving programs.
“You have to have an open mind because universities may present things from a different angle. Sometimes you may agree with it, and sometimes you might not, but then you have a dialogue to figure out the best way to move forward for your needs,” Smith said.
Smith and Roe-Sepowitz are continuing to work together to better understand the incarcerated population in Arizona. They are exploring opportunities to survey incarcerated men, and they plan to do a follow-up study at Estrella Jail in a year. Roe-Sepowitz is also working with the Arizona Department of Corrections to conduct the survey with women held at the Perryville prison.
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