The Gender Differences in Treatment Needs of Drug Inmates (PID017)

2.30pm – 3pm EST, 20 February 2025 ‐ 30 mins

Parallel Workshops

Numerous studies have indicated that treatment programs designed based on the needs of male inmates are not necessarily applicable to female inmates. To fill the void, this study attempts to explore the gender differences in drug treatment needs of Category 1 and Category 2 drug offenders in Taiwan, and to gain an in-depth understanding of their similarities and differences, adapt to existing treatment options, and provide appropriate programs to meet the female drug addicts’ treatment needs.
In order to adequately develop the survey questionnaire for formal sampling, the study conducted qualitative interviews with 16 drug offenders in 2023. Surveys were conducted with 779 male inmates from the Taoyuan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung Second Prisons, and 747 female inmates from the Taoyuan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung Women’s Prisons between January and May 2024. 
The results show that women generally have a higher degree of adaptability to prison life and in-prison activities than men. Secondly, women’s needs for activities are higher than men, including counseling, education, competitive activities, etc. Family visitation days, holiday activities, and skills training are the most demanded rehabilitation activities for women. Besides, women need more courses for future career development, family maintenance, stress regulation, and emotional control and support. Finally, most female inmates support bringing children into the correctional system with them and believe that more resources should be provided to help them strengthen their knowledge and skills of educating children. The implications of the study are further discussed in the paper.