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Most violent crime in the United States is committed by men, but when women do commit homicide, it is often related in various ways to their gender. Yet there is a lack of nationally representative data on female homicide perpetration and the resulting sentences controlling for demographic characteristics of victims and perpetrators. For this research we examine data collected by the first author from a public defender's office in a large Mid-Atlantic city from 32 female homicide cases (which were handled between the years of 1994-2007). We examine the legal outcomes of their cases in relation to the defendant's race, age, relationship to homicide victim, previous criminal history and history of sexual and/or physical abuse. Further, the race, gender and age of the homicide victims is also examined in relation to legal outcomes. Results indicate a pattern of plea bargaining, taking into consideration previous abuse as mitigating circumstances, which resulted in reductions of charges and light sentences for the majority of cases. The majority of cases involved intra-racial homicides of family members, boyfriends, ex-boyfriends or acquaintances. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the literature on incarcerated older women with a focus on racial differences. Whereas there is a dearth of empirical data on incarcerated women, especially neglected in the literature are imprisoned older women. In addition, evidence of how older women experience prison is presented; not as a homogenous group but as a diverse group with special problems. There is almost nil recognition in the literature of the special problems of incarcerated older women from different racial groups and class. Older women inmates are especially vulnerable in terms of unmet health needs. Conceptual and methodological differences between the studies and the lack of comparable databases will be discussed as limitations of the evidence, and perspectives for future research will be outlined. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culture is an important factor in understanding women's encounters with the criminal justice system and of course a complex one. Based on interview data from a women's prison in India, this paper explores the role of culture in understanding crime and victimization in India. Specifically, it will deal with the dynamics of the Indian household structure. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will focus on various surveillance strategies adopted by prison officials in bringing women inmates to conformity. It is based on an ethnography that was carried out in a women's prison in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]