A study is providing new insight on the traumas and experiences of incarcerated women at the Estrella Jail. The report came from a partnership between Arizona State University and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
The study involved surveying more than 400 women on various aspects related to their lives ranging from education to violence and exploitation exposure.
According to the study, more than 50% of the participants have been victims of sex trafficking and 80% have been victims of domestic violence.
ASU social work professor Dominique Roe-Sepowitz says the goal is to bring awareness to women.
“Women who are incarcerated are such a invisible population. We don’t see them every day when we’re driving to work or we’re eating lunch at a restaurant. This is a group of people that are often hidden from sight, and I think we don’t know very much about them for lots of reasons,” she said.
MCSO Deputy Chief Brandon Smith says the results provided insight on the negative experiences the participants had in their youth.
“Fifty-eight percent of the girls surveyed said that they had childhood emotional abuse and 50% said they had childhood physical abuse,” he said.
The results of the study led to proposed recommendations. MCSO says it’s working to implement programs to provide support and prevent reoffending.
Results from Estrella Jail life survey
- 80.1% victim of domestic violence.
- 62.2% victim of sexual assault as an adult.
- 50.9% victim of sex trafficking.
- 78.9% experienced homelessness.
- 58% experienced childhood emotional abuse.
- 50.5% experienced childhood physical abuse.
- 51.1% experienced childhood sexual abuse.
- 65.9% reported a drug addiction.
- 77% reported a mental health diagnosis.
- 76.3% reported history with self-harm.
- 59.1% have children under age 18.
- Respondents averaged 11th grade educational attainment.