Community Description
I will be working in the State of Oklahoma to resolve issues that women encounter in the justice system. This intervention targets individuals who are subjected to unfair jail conditions, face difficulties in court, or perceive their chances of returning to their regular lives as unsatisfactory. As of now, Oklahoma has the highest number of women in prisons across the country, with a rate of 281 per 100,000 (McIntosh et al., 2021). Thus, a significant portion of this population is likely to be affected by the proposed intervention.
Moreover, the racial profile of incarcerated women indicates that people of color represent over twenty percent of imprisoned individuals (“Oklahoma profile,” n.d.). This issue worsens when household income is factored in. In comparison with the nationwide average, people from low-income families are nine percent more likely to be on probation and have to pay up to $60 monthly for their supervision (Finkel, 2019). Therefore, this community needs the assistance of nonprofit organizations to address the apparent inequalities.
Community Problems and Their Root Causes
Women with a record of encounters with the justice system in the State of Oklahoma face numerous issues, both in the courts and later in life. The root cause appears to lie in the state policy changes that are made for gerrymandering purposes (“The issue,” n.d.). These legislations aim to incarcerate people for lesser crimes, targeting a particular segment of the population. Moreover, many state prisons operate as businesses, influencing political decisions to support mass incarceration (“The issue,” n.d.). At the same time, there appears to be little support for the reintegration of ex-convicts back into society by governmental organizations.
Scope of the Issue
The scope of the issue is immense, as the state continues to encounter obstacles on the way to ensuring justice and equal opportunities for incarcerated women or those who were recently released. Approximately 53,000 individuals are behind bars in Oklahoma, while the number of people approved for parole continues to decline annually (“The issue,” n.d.). The problem reflects poorly on the state’s approach to family support. In fact, the issue appears to be artificially inflated, as twenty-five percent of women, in comparison with fourteen percent of men, are put in jails due to non-violent offenses (McIntosh et al., 2021). Oklahoma has an opportunity to resolve the issue, although nonprofits can help alleviate the current burden until a long-term solution is implemented.
Current Efforts
Several organizations in the area have already attempted to alleviate the abnormal rate of women’s incarceration. For example, ReMerge, which has been operating since 2011, strives to create a support network for previously convicted women through temporary housing, healthcare access, improving people’s coping skills, and assisting them with education and employment (“About us,” n.d.). Some nonprofits focus on helping their currently incarcerated clients fight for their rights. Still She Rises provides legal assistance to women to defend against allegations, prevent family split-ups, and ensure that mothers receive a fair chance to raise their children despite the circumstances (“The mission,” n.d.). It is vital to review how these organizations operate to ensure that they cover the most vulnerable parts of the population from injustice through new programs.
Long-Term Consequences of Non-Intervention
Without the proposed intervention, some of the long-term consequences include further degradation of women’s rights, an increase in crime rates in Oklahoma, and the perpetuation of adverse living conditions of women who served jail time. However, the most apparent outcome can be seen in the number of children who grow up without their mothers (“The issue,” n.d.). One’s criminal record weighs down on a person’s future, which means that women have a hard time starting their lives anew, which may lead them back to illegal activities.
Underlying Opportunities
Through the actions of other nonprofit organizations, it is evident that there are numerous opportunities for agencies to address the issue. As mentioned above, incarcerated mothers suffer from a lack of ways to connect with their children. Moreover, the studies show that mothers who serve jail time suffer from the loss of their maternal identity, leading to worse parenting outcomes (Breuer et al., 2021).
Thus, it is essential for new initiatives to look into the possibilities that Oklahoma provides for mothers in jails and seek new paths for them to reunite with their children. For example, it may be feasible to cover the phone and in-person meeting fees that the state currently incurs for such activities related to incarcerated individuals. Another opportunity lies in defending the rights of pregnant women, regardless of their criminal history, to access necessary healthcare services. It is feasible to consider alternative sentencing approaches for pregnant women, as they reduce their stress levels, lower the state’s expenditures, and do not damage mother-child bonding experiences (McIntosh et al., 2021).
Summary
In conclusion, Oklahoma has an abnormally high rate of women impacted by encounters with the justice system due to the policies that support this situation. However, there are many ways through which nonprofit organizations can alleviate this burden on society. Women in this state need to have their rights and families protected from unjust persecutions, unreasonable fees, and improper jail conditions. There are many opportunities for a new program that targets currently or previously convicted women to be implemented in Oklahoma
References
About us. (n.d.). ReMerge Oklahoma.
Breuer, E., Remond, M., Lighton, S., Passalaqua, J., Galouzis, J., Stewart, K., & Sullivan, E. (2021). The needs and experiences of mothers while in prison and post-release: A rapid review and thematic synthesis. Health & Justice, 9(1).
Finkel, M. (2019). New data: Low incomes – but high fees – for people on probation. Prison Policy Initiative.
The issue. (n.d.). Still She Rises, Tulsa.
McIntosh, H. C., Kezbers, K., Nichols, R., & Hellman, C. (2021). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and hope in women participating in alternative sentencing programs. Research on Social Work Practice, 31(5), 469-475.
The mission. (n.d.). Still She Rises, Tulsa.
Oklahoma profile. (n.d.). Prison Policy Initiative.