According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, over one million womennearly 1 percent of the U.S. populationlive under some form of correctional supervision in the United States. Drug related offenses, robbery, and violent crimes are the most common reasons U.S. women end up in jail, accounting for more than 80 percent of all female inmates. Whatever the reasons they end up there, the reality is that thousands of women live behind bars.

Includes index.

Women and crime -- Life in a women's prison -- Special issues for incarcerated women -- Safe behind bars? -- Incarcerated women and the families they leave behind -- Imprisoned women around the world -- Helping women inmates.