Breaking Cycles and Rebuilding Lives
By Rossa Doño
El Observador
Programs and classes aimed at women's specific needs will ultimately lower the number of inmate returns, says "Breaking Cycles and Rebuilding Lives," a gender analysis of programs and services for incarcerated women in Santa Clara County.
"It's important that the voices of the women be heard," said Charmaine Wilson-Thomas, a former inmate who is a mother graduating from San Jose City College, made the Honor Roll list and was part of the programs implemented at Elmwood Correctional Center for Women.
"A better understanding of issues for female inmates is critical to lowering the jail population in our County, as well as related areas of the Child Welfare System," said Esther Peralez-Dieckmann, Director of the Office of Women's Policy, "This research provides insights about who these women are and it will help us connect the dots to help break the cycle of incarceration for women."
Many of the women incarcerated reported that job skills, employment, housing (including shelter for domestic violence) and social supports such as emergency assistance, food, childcare, counseling programs and support groups for themselves and their children, were the programs and services that helped them successfully transition from jail back into the community.
Although the number of male to female inmates is larger, the number of female inmates is increasing at a very fast pace.  With this discovery and other alarming facts behind the reasons why women are incarcerated, the Jail Population Task Force implemented Solution 14: the Women's Advocacy Initiative.
This initiative gave the office of Women's Policy the funds needed to identify the needs of incarcerated women and provide programs that could help them succeed while in jail and once released.
The findings in this research address the specific situations and pressing problems facing incarcerated women, and how the programs implemented have helped them.
"This is real, I am proud to have been a part of this. I am a success, a product of good that can happen when people care and support us. I am proud to say I am doing well and will continue to do well and help other women," expressed Wilson-Thomas.
Chief Edward Flores, County of Santa Clara Department of Correction, said, "Our efforts are not a one time effort.  We will continue to provide support to our female population so that they may be successful and not return to our facilities."
Victoria Kirschner, another former inmate said, "I truly believe I owe my life to this program. ...One I am forever grateful for."∆