Uncertain Futures: Women leaving prison and re-entering community

Women who have been incarcerated in Canada’s federal prison system most often need support if they are to successfully re-integrate into the community after leaving prison. 

This study, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, examined this proposition in relation to the types of supports that women need in prison and on release. Often using the women’s own words, the major findings are reported here, offering a rich resource for anyone seeking to support women who have been incarcerated. 

"A prison is not only more tough for women, incarceration, particularly max security it’s hell … how to prevent some young girls from staying here and becoming criminals … so talking and speaking about reintegration in society, the most important is to distinguish between male and female by gender … and if you have these differences and you understand the difference, it means we are not like male, 100%." (Whitney*)

*To protect the women’s anonymity, only pseudonyms are used in our reports.
 

To request a copy of the full report on this study:

Please contact:

Heather Mair
Associate Professor, Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON  N2L 3G1
hmair@uwaterloo.ca

For further information on Stride and Stride Circles:

Visit Community Justice Initiatives Programs - Stride.

NEW BOOK by the authors of Uncertain Futures study:

Community Re-Entry Uncertain Futures for Women Leaving Prison.

Details, including how to purchase

NEW BOOK by the authors of Uncertain Futures study:

Community Re-Entry Uncertain Futures for Women Leaving Prison.

Details, including how to purchase