Women Offenders: The Challenge of Evidence-based Practice in Correctional and Forensic Mental Health Services

Over the last 30 years, the landscape of correctional and forensic mental health services has built up a considerable foundation of evidence-based practices. However, most of the research and clinical applications in this field are predominantly focused on male populations, particularly in critical areas such as risk assessment, risk management, and offending behavior interventions. This gendered focus leaves a significant gap in the application of evidence-based practices tailored specifically to women and girls, who represent a unique yet often overlooked cohort within these services.

Women offenders present distinct needs and challenges that require more than a mere adaptation of practices designed for men. Addressing these differences is essential for the effective delivery of therapeutic and other preventive interventions in correctional and forensic mental health settings. Furthermore, as the justice system begins to recognize the needs of non-binary and transgender individuals, the lack of specific evidence-based guidance becomes even more pronounced. Current practices for these groups often rely on clinicians' best estimates rather than on solid, researched frameworks.

This Research Topic aims to bridge these gaps by highlighting cutting-edge research and practice in correctional and forensic mental health services tailored to women, girls, and non-binary and transgender individuals. We invite submissions of original research, including quantitative and qualitative studies, single case or small N studies, and systematic reviews that address these populations' unique needs. We encourage international colleagues engaged in this important work to submit proposed titles and summaries for consideration.

Suggested topics include particularly:
- Risk assessment and management tools and their efficacy in understanding and preventing reoffending among women offenders.
- Interventions addressing trauma and mental health issues prevalent among incarcerated women.
- Studies on the effectiveness of correctional rehabilitation programs for women.
- The intersection of mental health, substance abuse, and offending behavior in women and the implications for treatment approaches.
- Managing and supporting non-binary and transgender individuals in a binary correctional system.
- The role of gender-responsive approaches in reducing recidivism among female offenders.
- Implementation of evidence-based practices for women in forensic mental health settings.
- Comparative studies on gender practices for women vs. men.
- Case studies highlighting successful interventions with non-binary and transgender offenders.
- Systematic reviews of existing literature on gender differences in forensic mental health outcomes.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: female offenders, forensic, mental health, correctional services, forensic mental health, correction services

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.