Double jeopardy: A review of women offenders' mental health and substance abuse characteristics

Studies of women offenders with respect to the continuing salience of two co-occurring and pernicious characteristics-mental health (including traumatic experiences) and substance abuse (including HIV)-were reviewed. Findings indicated that research on these interrelated phenomena bears directly on a population that has been historically understudied and poorly serviced. As findings on women offenders are inadequately integrated and lack conceptual direction, a biosocial dynamic framework is introduced as a potentially useful organizing tool for future research and practice. The authors conclude that as the correctional system continues to be a repository for persons afflicted with mental health and substance use disorders, sound empirical knowledge is particularly needed with respect to future service allocation for women offenders.