The Department of Corrections (DOC) female inmate population is currently housed at the Correctional Treatment Facility. This housing choice was made to allow for contact visits which positively reinforce connections between mothers and their children—relationships that require focus and attention as part of the rehabilitation process. Each year DOC commits and releases between 2,500 and 3,000 women who present with unique programming challenges that are viewed as gender- specific.

During 2012, a correctional consultant firm conducted a comprehensive assessment of pre and post release services available to women in the custody of DOC. The results of the assessment were used to formulate next steps in the strategic planning process, which initially involved the hiring of a Women's Re-entry Consultant. A number of noteworthy accomplishments have since been made with services for women:

• Hired a Women's Program Manager
• Evaluated use of gender-specific assessment tool (by NIC funded subject matter expert)
• Re-established partnership with Our Place DC (community-based organization offering pre and post release services to women)
• Established a Women's Re-entry Committee

In serving the female population, DOC will continue to seek support from our volunteer corps---organizations with resources and direct experience in working with females in crisis. Services include employability development training, life skills, legal counseling, domestic violence counseling, anger management, health education, pre-natal education, reading and writing skills enhancement, parenting skills, HIV/AIDS education and mentoring.