Experience of Imprisonment from the Perspective of Female Offenders in the Republic of Croatia

Abstract

Scientific studies in criminology mainly neglect the criminality of women, especially the perspective of women prisoners. The aim of qualitative research was to examine the experience of imprisonment and institutional treatment for female prisoners. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview with 10 female prisoners in female penitentiary in Croatia. Research questions focused on the experience of stay in prison, treatment, perceived changes, suggestions for treatment improvement. Data were processed with inductive thematic analysis. Five topics have been separated: Expectations before coming to penitentiary, Experience of stay in penitentiary, Experience of treatment, Perception of personal changes, and Suggestions to improve the institutional treatment. It is necessary to continuously evaluate the treatment programs implemented in correctional institutions to determine their effectiveness, therefore the perspective of female prisoners can be an important criterion for the the creation of measures and policies pursued by the state regarding correctional institutions.