The problem begins with
Poverty
Addiction
Domestic violence
Mental illness

Over 73% of incarcerated women in the U.S. had a mental health problem. (Bureau of Justice Statistics) 
​Over 81% of incarcerated women in Wisconsin have a mental illness (28% are severe and persistent) and emotional, physical or sexual abuse in their past. 
"[Trauma] describes experiences or situations that are emotionally painful and distressing, and that overwhelm people's ability to cope, leaving them powerless." 
(Center for Nonviolence and Social Justice)

Incarcerated women face
Lack of health care
Solitary confinement
Sexual abuse

For women, physical, medical, psychological, and socio-cultural challenges are abundant in prison. Read more about these challenges in American Civil Liberties Union's report on the solitary confinement of women.
Approximately 1/3 of the world's female prisoner population is incarcerated in the USA.
(International Centre for Prison Studies)

Upon reentry, women need
Health care
Housing
​Employment

The first three months are crucial in determining whether a woman will return to the prison system. Health care, housing, and employment make a critical difference, but women face many barriers when accessing these necessities.
"[Recidivism] refers to a person's relapse into criminal behavior." 
(National Institute of Justice)

Our solution involves
Healing
Stability
Independence

The Demeter Foundation provides the resources, advocacy, and holistic support programming that a woman needs to heal, stabilize, and achieve independence after leaving the prison system. 85% of our clients stay in the community and do not return to prison.
When a community contributes to an individual, an individual can contribute to the community. 
For more information on incarcerated women in Wisconsin, see Wisconsin Women's Corrections Annual Report.

​To learn about reincarceration rates, see The Wisconsin Department of Corrections Recidivism Report

To better understand the experience of prison families, we recommend The Unvarnished Truth about the Prison Family Journey by Carolyn Esparza, LPC and Phillip Don Yow Sr.