Date of Conferral

10-2-2026

Date of Award

October 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Cindy Blankenship

Abstract

Women in correctional settings frequently experience significant mental health issues that are linked to histories of trauma, abuse, and victimization. Despite increased attention to trauma-informed and gender-responsive approaches, numerous obstacles continue to affect the delivery of mental health treatment within female correctional facilities. Existing literature focuses on systemic and policy concerns, overlooking mental health professionals' experiences. Guided by general systems theory, this qualitative study examined the challenges encountered by providers, including how organizational, environmental, and institutional factors influence treatment implementation. Data collected through semistructured interviews with 10 mental health professionals revealed multiple barriers to effective service delivery, including the complex clinical needs of women with extensive trauma histories, competing institutional priorities, resource limitations, administrative constraints, and balancing therapeutic goals within environments where security concerns often take precedence over treatment objectives. Recommendations emphasized enhanced mental health training for correctional personnel, increased application of gender-responsive treatment, and greater engagement among correctional leaders and policymakers. Findings contribute to a deeper understanding of factors affecting mental health treatment delivery and emphasize the need for organizational and policy-level support. By strengthening trauma-responsive practices, there is a potential to enact a positive social impact for improving treatment engagement and fostering correctional environments that better address the unique needs of incarcerated women.

Download

Included in

Criminology Commons

Share

 
COinS