Gender Differences and Offender Reentry: A Review of the Literature

Historically, men have been incarcerated at rates far greater than women. As a result, reentry and reintegration programs have focused mainly on men's needs. The Second Chance Act of 2007 authorized funding for offender reentry programs and research on special populations—including about women and parents acknowledging the importance of identifying gender differences to improve offender rehabilitation efforts for successful reintegration. This article reviews literature about offender demographics, incarceration statistics, barriers to reintegration—both individual and social/structural, and gender-responsive strategies, and posits policy and program recommendations. We suggest that recognizing needs and trends for both men and women will result in more effective interventions, during incarceration as well as during the reentry and reintegration process.