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History of abuse, mental health issues common for jailed women

Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL) - 10/10/2014

Oct. 10--BLOOMINGTON -- A new study focusing on women in the McLean County jail shows most female inmates arrive with mental health issues and a history of abuse that derails their lives and disrupts their connection to their children.

The report shared with the McLean County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council on Wednesday is based on a review of records related to 278 female inmates. Lengthy interviews were conducted with 20 women.

The research project was headed by Dawn Beichner, associate professor of criminal justice sciences at Illinois State University, and four graduate students participated in the project. A final draft of the report is expected to be released in several weeks.

Fifty-two percent of the women housed at the jail reported a mental health diagnosis, often linked to past trauma. About two-thirds of the women said they had received no mental health care prior to coming to the jail where they have access to counseling and medication.

The study also looked at the innocent victims left behind when a mother goes to jail. The women who passed thorough the jail between January and May 2014 had a total of 155 children ranging in age from 1 to 8 years old, according to the study.

Adding to a child's trauma is the stigma of a parent's criminal record, said Beichner.

"Children often face this on their own, with few services," she said.

Addiction is a major challenge for more than half of the female population. Alcohol was the most commonly abuse substance, followed by marijuana, heroin and cocaine.

In many cases, time in jail is a chance for women to become clean and sober.

"We need to capatilize on that sobriety" by helping inmates while they are in jail and linking women to services after return to the community, said Beichner.

Among the recommendations attached to the study is a resource guide for men and women leaving the jail. The guide that includes information on housing and counseling services is expected to be ready by the end of the year.

Beichner told the CJCC that she is working with the jail on ways to expand the current visiting policy of 15-minute meetings behind glass.

Sheriff Mike Emery said the timing of the report fits well with the county's ongoing effort to improve housing conditions for mentally ill inmates. The ISU report will be forwarded to consultants looking at options to better house special populations at the facility and the increase in the overall jail population over the next two decades.

The 20 women interviewed by the graduate students gave the jail high marks for the programs offered at the facility and the positive attitude of staff.

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(c)2014 The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Ill.)

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