From the Washington University Senior Honors Thesis Abstracts (WUSHTA), 2017. Published by the Office of Undergraduate Research. Joy Zalis Kiefer, Director of Undergraduate Research and Associate Dean in the College of Arts & Sciences; Lindsey Paunovich, Editor; Helen Human, Programs Manager and Assistant Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences Mentor: Linda Lindse

Gordon, Abigail

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Washington University St. Louis: Open Scholarship

Washington University in St. Louis Washington University Open Scholarship Spring 2017 Washington University Senior Honors Thesis Abstracts Spring 2017 Getting Out: Women in Transition Abigail Gordon Washington University in St. Louis Follow this and additional works at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/wushta_spr2017 Recommended Citation Gordon, Abigail, "Getting Out: Women in Transition" (2017). Spring 2017. 46. https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/wushta_spr2017/46 This Abstract for College of Arts & Sciences is brought to you for free and open access by the Washington University Senior Honors Thesis Abstracts at Washington University Open Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Spring 2017 by an authorized administrator of Washington University Open Scholarship. For more information, please contact digital@wumail.wustl.edu. 14 Spring 2017 WUSHTAAmerican Culture StudiesGetting Out:Women in TransitionAbigail GordonMentor: Linda LindseyThe United States has the highest prison population in the world, with over two millionindividuals who are currently incarcerated and almost five million under some form ofsupervisory or custodial control of the criminal justice system. Since the 1980s theamount of women in prison has risen 700%. This dramatic rise in women going toprison means that there is also a significant increase in those transitioning back intosociety once released. However, 66% of women released are re-arrested within threeyears. “Getting Out: Women in Transition” explores this transitional period, asking whythe recidivism rate is so high and what would make the transition process moresuccessful for specifically women. I interviewed two previously incarcerated womenabout their journeys and what it means for them to be successful. I found that women’sissues upon re-entry are magnified by the necessity to support their family incombination with finding employment and housing, in addition to often battling withaddiction. However, these challenges can be significantly alleviated through theproductive creation of relationships and the correct transitional programing, leading toa significant decrease in the recidivism rate and an increase in women leading successfullives.This article is interspersed with videos of the two women that I interviewed in orderto allow for their voices to be heard, not just quoted. With the help of Dave Walsh andthe greater American Culture Studies department, I created a website to display myarticle and the videos in an easily relatable and comprehensive medium. I wanted mythesis to reach people, and I believe that this combination of the written word, videos,and online access is the most beneficial way to do so in an academic setting.

Getting Out: Women in Transition

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Getting Out: Women in Transition

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Washington University St. Louis: Open Scholarship