Date of Conferral
2016
Degree
Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
School
Criminal Justice
Advisor
Lillian Chenoweth
Abstract
The number of females arrested for violent crimes has increased. The juvenile justice system continues to be challenged with developing gender-based treatment strategies to accommodate female delinquents. The purpose of this study was to examine probation officers' perceptions of the treatment provided for female delinquents and its ability to rehabilitate, reduce recidivism, and promote successful transition among female delinquents. The framework of this study encompassed the feminist theory from a criminology perspective. Data collection included interviews with 5 probation officers in El Paso County's Juvenile Justice Detention Center. Interviews were reviewed to generate a summary of relevancy. Themes and codes pertaining to the research were identified for analysis. The participants provided several recommendations for treating the female delinquent; they also identified that a lack of resources and funding for gender-responsive treatment contributed to the systems' inability to provide gender-specific treatment for female delinquents. Implementation by the Juvenile Justice Department of gender-responsive programs would respond to the varied needs of female delinquents; thereby increasing rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, and promoting successful transition among female delinquents. This implementation would benefit society as a whole, producing productive members who are able to affect social change.
Recommended Citation
Martin, Jeanette Alexandria, "The Gender-Responsive Approach for the Female Delinquent" (2016). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 2934.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/2934
