Key Concepts & Terms
This is supervised release in the community after prison
What is parole?
Women in the study described parole as more controlling than supportive.
What is punitive parole experience?
Parole officers requiring check-ins, drug tests, and home visits is an example of monitoring.
What is surveillance?
Finding stable living conditions was one major struggle women faced.
What is housing instability?
The reading suggests parole often fails because it focuses more on punishment than support
What is surveillance-based parole?
This refers to the system monitoring and controlling parolees through strict rules and supervision.
What is parole surveillance?
Many women felt they had to "just get through" parole because parole officers had most of the authority.
What is power imbalance?
Parole officers being able to decide how strict supervision shows they have decision-making freedom.
A criminal record often prevented women from getting work, showing discrimination.
What is employment barriers/stigma?
The reading supports creating parole policies that address women's unique needs.
What is gendered-responsive parole?
This is the process of returning to society after incarceration.
What is reentry?
Women described parole as stressful because they constantly feared being sent to prison for small mistakes.
What is fear of revocation?
The quote "It's their world, so you've just got to get through" reflects that parole is controlled by authorities.
What is parole officer control?
Lack of transportation made it difficult for women to meet parole requirements.
What is transportation barriers?
The study implies parole should provide resources for housing, employment, and treatment instead of only monitoring.
What is supportive reentry model?
This refers to negative labeling and discrimination someone faces because of a criminal record.
What is stigma?
Women did not feel parole gave them freedom or independence.
What is parole felt restrictive?
Women often felt parole treated them like criminals even after release, showing continued punishment.
Childcare and family responsibilities often conflicted with parole demands.
What is caregiving burdens?
The reading connects parole revocations to a larger issue in the justice system.
What is mass incarceration?
This is when someone breaks parole rules without committing a new crime.
What is technical violation?
Women's parole experiences were shaped by expectations tied to gender roles like motherhood and caregiving.
What is gendered supervision?
Parole regulates women's daily lives, not just their criminal behavior.
What is governance?
Strict parole rules and relapse in addiction treatment could increase women's chances of returning to prison.
What is increased risk of recidivism?
The study suggests parole should shift away from risk control and toward rehabilitation and support.
What is reform-focused parole approach?