These lively and stimulating ideas for use in and out of class reinforce active learning. The activities apply to individual or group projects.

10-1:  Discuss some of the characteristics of female offenders and compare rates of incarceration and terms of sentencing between male and female offenders.

1. Documentation:  In groups of 3-5, document rates of incarceration across the country using a map. Include specific statistics.
2. Writing:  The majority of incarcerated women have little education and few economic opportunities. How can correctional agencies provide services to address these issues during their prison sentence? Discuss in 800-1000 words.

10-2:  Discuss the history of corrections related to female offenders.

1. Documentation:  In groups of 3-5, outline the evolution of corrections related to female offenders, and list 5-7 concerns that historical activists addressed, yet that persist today. Present to the class.
2. Writing:  Is the reformatory an institution of patriarchy? Answer this question in 1000-1200 words. Include the evolution of female corrections, the chivalry hypothesis, and examples from today.

10-3:  Describe some of the issues related to modern-day female offenders.

1. Practicum:  Given the issues that confront incarcerated women today – including educational and economic opportunities, parenting, and trauma – devise 5-7 action points that correctional institutions could implement to improve conditions for female offenders. Consider security needs, budgeting, and recidivism rates. Work in groups of 4-6 and present to the class.
2. Writing:  The majority of female offenders are convicted of non-violent offenses, and 1.3 million minors have a mother involved in the criminal justice system. Discuss 3-5 potential areas for reform related to the difficulties of mothers in prison. Consider the most common offenses for female offenders and common issues they face.

10-4:  Identify some of the considerations associated with effective correctional operations when considering female offenders.

1. Practicum:  Many of the issues female offenders face are rooted in community and familial issues. In groups of 4-6, outline a strategy for corrections agencies to partner with community agencies (public and/or private), prepare women to deal with these issues while incarcerated, and connect women with these resources upon to their release.
2. Writing:  Imagine you are a prison administrator aiming to tackle the various conditions that female offenders commonly confront. In 800-1000 words, discuss your primary considerations as well as challenges and opportunities when devising an effective organization plan that meets security needs, provides treatment to women, and helps combat abuse and offending.

10-5:  Discuss the legal issues involved with female offenders in the correctional facility.

1. Role-playing:  In groups of 4-6, portray 3-5 scenarios that might take place in a women’s correctional facility. Create some scenes in which staff are supportive and some scenes in which staff do not appropriately address issues facing women inmates.
2. Writing:  In 800-1000 words, discuss the significance of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, and how its application compares between women and male facilities.

10-6:  Identify various treatment implications related to female offenders.

1. Practicum:  Imagine you are on a team to devise a comprehensive treatment program to be implemented in your local correctional facilities. In groups of 4-6, outline 7-10 points specifying what this program would look like, including agencies involved, family involvement, and treatment rigor. Present to the class.
2. Writing: How does addressing the needs of female offenders relate to the current feminist and civil rights movements? Discuss in 800-1000 words.