Gender Issues

Criminogenic needs specific to gender

Research on female offenders shows that more women are re-offending, and that this re-offending is becoming more serious.

It is important to be aware of the special needs of female and transsexual offenders, and to do a thorough assessment of their criminogenic needs.

When assessing criminogenic needs, factors that influence male re-offending may not be the same as those that influence female and transsexual re-offending.

Assessing a woman offender

When assessing a woman offender:

• be aware of gender issues associated with re-offending
• recognise any special needs, and
• refer for a specialist assessment if required.

For example, a woman’s ability to address her offending behaviour may be compromised by her need to first address other issues such as:

• poor physical and/or mental health
• sexual abuse
• mother-child and partner relationships, or
• partner-gang affiliations.

Assessing transsexual offenders

When assessing transsexual offenders:

• check documentation for evidence of problems
• be aware that transsexual offenders can have psychological problems and may suffer from anxiety and/or depression
• recognise any special needs, and
• refer for a specialist assessment if required.

Further reading

The following references are about, or include information about, gender issues.

• Barwick, H. Women Offenders: A review of the literature with a focus on issues and programmes (Department of Corrections, Wellington, NZ, 1997).
• Bakker, Riley and O’Malley. Risk of Re-offending: Four models which predict four types of re-offending (Department of Corrections, Wellington, NZ, 1998).