New Women's Justice Commission Formed to Research Factors that Lead to Women's Incarceration

From Arrest to Release, there’s a New Effort to Investigate the Experiences of Incarcerated Women

Women represent only about 10 percent of incarcerated people in the United States. Because of that, most criminal legal research and reform proposals overlook their specific needs. 

A growing number of researchers and advocates are pushing to change this. They’re calling for a more intentional focus on the factors that lead women to incarceration, the challenges they face inside and the limited available resources to help them re-enter society.

This month, the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice launched a new Women’s Justice Commission to address some of these gaps. It is led by former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and made up of 15 other members who include academics, legislators, law enforcement and advocates.