Illinois prisons now have a “women’s division” that will develop specific programs and strategies to help female inmates return to society and avoid becoming repeat offenders. State Representative Tim Butler of Springfield is one of the sponsors of the legislation that was signed by Governor Bruce Rauner at the Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln.
Rauner says female inmates have different needs than men, including the fact that many are mothers and primary caregivers to their children.
He also says many women were victims of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse which may have contributed to winding up in prison.