Research With Women Serving Court-Mandated Probation or Parole Orders

Abstract

The life context of women offenders exemplifies the health inequities that the World Health Organization highlights as important determinants of health. In the past decade the sentencing of women to correctional detention has increased dramatically, prompting an urgent call for research in this area. In response to this call, a pilot study was conducted in the Canadian province of Ontario to investigate the health promotion and health literacy needs of women in conflict with the law. The authors highlight aspects of the research process with female offenders by recounting the personal and professional challenges experienced by the research team in carrying out an investigation with this population. They conclude with recommendations for future research with women offenders using lessons learned over the course of the pilot study.