The Women in Prison Project (WPP)

Why and when was The Women in Prison Project formed?:
The Project was formed in 1991, in response to the alarming increase in the incarceration of women. The number of women committed to New York State Prisons increased by 325% between 1985 and 1995. The vast majority -- nearly 80% -- are convicted of non-violent, non-coercive offenses, and the incarceration of women continues to grow at a greater rate than the overall increase in the prison population.

What are the goals of the Women in Prison Project?:
In order to address specifically, the needs of women in prison, the project works toward:

1. Increasing community based alternatives to incarceration.
2. Improving the conditions of confinement for women prisoners.
3. Expanding the number of programs that assist women returning to their communities.

How does the Women in Prison Project work toward its goal?:
The Project monitors and visits women's correctional facilities throughout the state. This year, the primary focus of these visits will be to investigate health care services and the availability of therapeutic and educational programs to women.

The WPP also conducts educational forums and conferences focusing on issues pertinent to women in the criminal justice system. The Project has created various publications and videos in connection with its educational work. The Project recently released Mandatory Injustice: Case Histories of Women Convicted Under New York's Rockefeller Drug Laws. This report chronicles the stories of women serving excessive prison sentences under New York's mandatory drug-sentencing statutes.

In 1994, the WPP formed the Coalition for Women Prisoners. The Coalition for Women Prisoners is a broad-based statewide alliance, with the sole purpose of advocating and networking on behalf of women prisoners. The Coalition contains the following committees which address specific concerns of women in the criminal justice system: 1) Battered Women in Prison, 2) Incarcerated Mothers, 3) Discharge Planning and Work Release 4) Rikers Island and 5) Media Action.

• Women in Prison Fact Sheet

• Women Prisoners with HIV/Aids Fact sheet

• Battered Women in Prison Fact sheet

• Women Prisoners and Substance Abuse Fact sheet

• Mandatory Injustice: Case Histories of Women Convicted Under New York's Rockefeller Drug Laws, February 1999.

• Injustice Will Be Done: Women Drug Couriers and the Rockefeller Drug Laws, February 1992.

• Drug Mules (video)

• We Are Not Who You Think We Are (video)

For Additional Information Contact:

Mishi Faruquee
Director
Women in Prison Project
The Correctional Association of New York
135 East 15th Street
New York, NY 10003

Phone: (212) 254-5700 x 314
Fax: (212) 473-2807
Mfaruqee@corrassoc.org