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Journal Article 1: Bright, C. L., Ward, S. K., & Negi, N. J (2011). “The chain has to be broken”: A qualitative investigation of the experiences of young women following juvenile court involvement. Feminist Criminology, 6, 32–53. DOI:10.1177/1557085110393237

Abstract: Whereas the number of girls involved in the juvenile justice system is on the rise, little is known about female juvenile offenders after they reach adulthood. This study aims to explore the meaning that young adult women ascribe to their juvenile court experiences and assess their perceptions of facilitators and barriers to progress in their adult lives. Data on services and support are presented from nine semistructured interviews. Findings include the commonality of mental health issues, substance abuse, and problematic relationships with intimate partners. Implications for service provision and policy, as well as future research directions, are outlined.

Journal Article 2: Makarios, M. D. (2007). Race, abuse, and female criminal violence. Feminist Criminology, 2, 100–116. DOI:10.1177/1557085106296501

Abstract: Gender-specific research on the relationship between childhood abuse and delinquency in females is an important emerging topic in criminology. Feminist criminologists have pointed toward childhood abuse as a key turning point in young girls' lives that leads toward delinquency but have yet to empirically address how this relationship varies along racial lines. This study uses prospective cohort data to test for interactions among child abuse, race, and violent criminal arrest in females. In doing so, it addresses the differences in the effects of abuse across gender and across race in females. Results provide some support for feminist literature finding that although all abused children were more likely to be later arrested for a violent offense, the effects were significantly stronger for abused girls than boys. Still, race and gender interactions reveal no racial differences in the effects of abuse on females.

Journal Article 3: Mallicoat, S. L. (2007). Gendered justice: Attributional differences between males and females in the juvenile courts. Feminist Criminology, 2, 4–30.

Abstract: Research on gender and presentencing investigative reports documents that significant differences regarding male and female offenders exist both in terms of criminal history and type of current offense and in the types of problems experienced by offenders and their motivations for engaging in criminal behaviors. Drawing from attribution theory to understand how probation officers make assessments on the culpability of youth on probation, this study addresses whether differences in probation officers’ descriptions of male and female offenders exist that cannot be explained by the seriousness of the crime or the criminal history of the offender. Results indicate areas of significant quantitative and qualitative differences by gender. Although the findings demonstrate that issues of sexuality, drug use, and family conflict continue to represent significant differential pathways for female offenders, it appears that probation officers are beginning to acknowledge the impact of these factors in explaining delinquent behaviors.