Female Convicts: Are Women Being Punished Less For Their Crimes?

Aditi Mishra, BBA LLB.B (Hons.), Christ (Deemed to be University) Delhi-NCR

ABSTRACT

“People sometimes don’t see gender as male and female being equal. Instead, they see it as a female being treated better than male.”

Many criminologists have agreed on the fact that the gender gap between men and women in crime is universal. But there are few discussions about the differences between male and female towards the issues that involve crime and punishment. As the title of the paper suggests, this research paper basically deals with the differences in punishment given to men and women offenders or convicts. The author has intrinsically analysed on the issue that are women really being punished less for their crimes or their punishment is reduced only in certain exceptional circumstances. This paper also explains who are female offenders. The paper also explains why there exists a difference between genders and why is the difference still prevalent in the 21st century. There are many findings that state that women receive chivalry treatment through the all the stages of justice deliver system by various officials. The research paper deals with the question that are women really being receiving some benefits due to their sex. The author also looks into the factors that are involved in deciding the punishment for a female convict. The author in this research paper concludes that the concept or the notion in the minds of people that women are being treated differently or being punished less for their crimes when compared to males is basically a myth and not true. Criminal justice system treats men and women equally and both are rewarded same punishments for the same offences.

Keywords: Female convictions, gender bias, chivalry treatment, punishment, crime.