spitfire grill | women in crime

In THE SPITFIRE GRILL, Percy has just been released from prison and is trying to start over. Here's some background information on women in the prison system in Canada.

Females account for a small proportion of all offenders – in 2005 one out of ever five persons accused by police of a crime were female.

The majority of crimes committed by women are theft, bail violations, and fraud. Most women are not repeat offenders.

The rate of “seriously violent crime” among female youth has more than doubled since 1986, from 60 per 100,000 to 132 per 100,000. This is still significantly lower than the numbers for male youth.

Women account for 6% of offenders held in provincial correctional facilities and 4% of offenders in federal custody.

Women are far less likely than men to commit murder. Women who kill are likely to have a mental, emotional, or developmental disorder.

The majority of women’s victims are spouses or children. 73% of women who kill their spouses experienced previous violence from their spouse.

Most women in custody do not have a previous history with the prison system.

Female adult offenders in custody are more likely to be younger, single, and Aboriginal than women in the general population.

33% of female offenders are deemed at risk of re-offending. Risk is determined based on behaviour and likelihood of violating probation or bail. Such offences (known as a breach of administrative justice) are increasing among women.

Source: Canadian Justice Centre Report