Sexual victimisation histories and rehabilitation in female prisoners: a Tasmanian case study

The Tasmanian female prison population has increased by 57% since 2000. Sexual victimisation is one of the most reported forms of victimisation among female prisoners in Australia. This article explores how seven Tasmanian correctional staff and program facilitators understand the relationship between sexual victimisation, offending and rehabilitation pathways and makes recommendations about how correctional systems can better manage practices that may re-victimise women. In doing so, the article provides the first analysis of how corrections workers and prison program practitioners working with incarcerated women in Tasmania understand the needs of their female clients. Findings demonstrate that prison and throughcare programs on offer in Tasmania do not consider the specific needs of women, especially women with histories of sexual victimisation.