INDEX

Please note that page numbers are not accurate for the e-book edition.

abandonment: by father, 42–44, 49, 50, 190; by male partner, 101, 103–4, 202, 203; by mother, 42, 43, 48–49, 50–52, 54, 69, 87, 101, 182

abortion, 47, 70, 206, 217–18

Abrams, Laura, 141

abuse. See emotional abuse; physical abuse; sexual abuse

abuse recidivism, 68

ACEs (adverse childhood experiences), 37–38, 48, 53

ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), 85, 102

ACP (Alternative Custody Program), 133, 139

acting out, 76–77, 82–83, 100

ACW (Alcoholism Center for Women), 148–49, 170–71

adoption: of Clara’s daughter Aracely, 119; foster care leading to, 94, 95

Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA, 1997), 106

Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act (1980), 106

adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), 37–38, 48, 53

advocacy, 153, 224, 233

aggregate indeterminate terms, 210–11

Alberto (brother of Luis), 211

Alcoholism Center for Women (ACW), 148–49, 170–71

alertness to danger, vs. toxic stress, 38

Alexander, Michelle, 176

Aliso Village, 23

All of Us Or None, 233

Alma Backyard Farms, 206

alternate public defender, 90

Alternative Custody Program (ACP), 133, 139

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 85, 102

amygdala, 38

Anderson, James, 22–23

A New Way of Life (ANWOL): case study of, 151–53; community at, 155, 157, 158; during covid pandemic, 242; founding by Susan Burton of, 24; funding for, 154; on ender-responsive programs, 131; and Hope House, 224; and Hour Children, 227, 229; leadership and advocacy at, 154, 233–34; as model program, 241; as national model, 172–73, 208; and non-binary individuals and trans women, 240; and relapsing and recidivism, 174; and SAFE House Network, 179; structure at, 153–55; and study on parentification, 46–47; survey by, 177; vision for, 153–54

Angela House, 241

Angelina (daughter of Janeth): custody during incarceration of, 159–60, 211; father of, 5, 69, 90, 143; during pretrial detention, 89, 90

ankle monitor, 133, 203

Anna (supervisor at ACW), 170

Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), 22

ANWOL. See A New Way of Life (ANWOL)

Aracely (daughter of Clara): adoption of, 106, 108, 119; birth in prison of, 105; continuing relationship with, 247; custody after release of, 163, 164, 166; custody during incarceration of, 106, 122; visitation by, 119

“architecture of the brain,” 38

arrest rates for girls vs. boys, 81–82

Arturo (son of Rosa), 56–57, 72, 77, 219

ASFA (Adoption and Safe Families Act, 1997), 106

Assembly Bill 109 (AB 109), 16

Atkins, Susan, 192

attachments between women: friendships as, 155–58; lesbian relationships as, 184–95, 259n3, 260n7

attorneys, court-appointed, 60, 90–91, 146–47, 159–61

autonomy: parentification and, 48; in reentry program, 178, 193

“baby prison” (CYA), 78, 86

bail: elimination of, 235–37; gendered effects of, 95–96; help raising, 199; inability to post, 8, 12, 16, 29, 146; and pretrial detention, 95–96; and separation from children, 22

Baines, Tommie, 78–79, 83

“Ban the Box” movement, 235

barrio, 99, 256n8

battered women’s shelter, 150

Becoming Ms. Burton (Burton), 24, 150

Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, Children’s Center at, 226, 230

behavioral problems, solitary confinement for, 18

belongingness, sense of, 145, 157

Benson, Stephanie, 152

best practices, 173, 174, 241

betrayal: by domestic partner, 68, 189; by mother, 42, 44, 54–56, 57, 167

Beyond the Box Initiative, 234

Big Syke (homie), 36

Biondi, Carol, 77

BJS (Bureau of Justice Statistics), 130

Black and Pink, 240

Black children, with incarcerated parent, 96

Black community: and bail, 95; drug epidemic in, 33; fragmentation of families in, 205; same-sex relationships in, 195

Black students, 147

Black women: and abortion, 218; and child welfare system, 96; formerly incarcerated, 162, 168–69; and healthcare inequity, 218; increasing incarceration rate of, 168, 239; mistrust of criminal justice system by, 68; pretrial detention of, 236

blaming: by children, 220; of family, 46; of self for abusive relationship, 69

BOP (Bureau of Prisons), Federal, 137

Bounty Hunter Bloods gang, 10

Boyle, (Father) Greg: accomplishments of, 24; on camps, 101; and Global Homeboy Net work, 178; and Homeboy Industries, 27, 157, 218; on jobs, 52–53, 128, 144; lunch with Jim Carrey, 74; on trauma, 53

Branson, Richard, 22

Brian (partner of Carmen), 198, 200, 202, 203

Brown, Jerry, 23, 24

Budnick, Scott, 22–23

Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), 130

Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Federal, 137

Burton, Susan: on adverse childhood experiences, 38; and ANWOL, 24, 36–37, 131, 151–55, 158; background of, 23–24, 76, 148, 150; on community organizing, 234–35; during covid pandemic, 241–42; on criminal justice system, 168; and Hope House, 224–25; and Hour Children, 228, 229–31; on national model, 173, 174–75; on national network, 235; on non-binary individuals and trans women, 240; on pretrial detention, 21–22; on prison tour, 18, 20, 23; as role model, 233; and SAFE Housing Network, 176, 178–79; survey by, 176–77; on trauma, 117

Bush, George W., 185

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 193

California Endowment, 74, 151, 152

California Institution for Women (CIW), 193

California State Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act (2000), 116

California Youth Authority (CYA), 78, 86

CalWorks (public assistance), 246

camp(s), juvenile probation, 75, 77–78, 84–86, 101, 197, 254n1

Camp Kilpatrick, 85

Camp Resnick, 100, 101, 105

career development, 227–28

Carillo, Joanna “Bright Eyes,” 5, 29, 45, 103, 199–200

Carla (homegirl), 41

Carlos (partner of Ivy), 5, 70, 143

Carmen, 196–203, 244

Carrey, Jim, 74

Carter, Kim, 234

caseloads of social workers, 36, 98–99

case managers, 118, 134, 140, 193, 217

Catholic Church, 193

Celeste (mother of Denise), 146–47

Celia (sister of Adela), 221

Center for Justice (Columbia University), 234

Center for Juvenile Law and Policy (Loyola Law School), 52

Center for Women in Transition, 241

Central California Women’s Facility. See Chowchilla Central Juvenile Hall (Los Angeles), 50, 100

Century Regional Detention Facility (Women’s Jail at Lynwood), 13, 60

Challenger Memorial Youth Center, 84–85, 86, 100, 101

Charlie (friend of Denise), 115

Chesney-Lind, Meda, 64, 81, 82

child(ren): allowing women to stay attached to, 239–40; born after release, 212–31; incarcerated parents and risks for, 219; living with incarcerated mother, 226; living with mother in reentry program, 224–31; number of incarcerated women with, 96, 224; rebuilding relationships with, 220–24; and reentry programs, 28; removal of, 16, 17, 22; separation during incarceration from, 214–15; supervised visits with, 107, 218; as symbol of hope, 212–31; visitation by, 226, 230

child custody: and adoption, 94, 95, 119; and grandparents as surrogate parents, 48, 51, 54, 94, 159–60; by relative, 94–95, 96, 105–6, 216; after release, 163–64; and substance abuse, 112; and termination of parental rights, 96, 106–8, 112, 216–17

childhood sexual abuse, 33–34, 36, 39, 54–58, 71

child protective services: pretrial detention and, 34–35, 236. See also Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)

Children’s Center, at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, 226, 230

Children’s Protective Services, 34–35, 236

children’s visiting areas, 21–22

child welfare system: abuse at hands of, 99, 102, 110, 215; and Adoption and Safe Families Act, 106; bureaucracy of, 119, 215, 219, 229; and crossover kids, 92–109; fear and distrust of, 34–35, 68, 88, 97, 107, 112; during incarceration, 93, 96; inequities of, 215; and juvenile justice, 100–101; number of women involved in, 94–95; during pretrial detention, 16, 89–91, 92–93; after release, 235, 245; and supervised visits, 107, 218

China Girl. See Marshall, Denise Chowchilla (Central Institution for Women), 186, 192–93, 205, 211, 243

CLARE Foundation, 24, 148

Clark, Anthony, 171

Clinton, Bill, 106

cocaine, 23–24, 33, 49, 102, 117

Columbia University, Center for Justice and the Justice in Education Initiative at, 234

community-based alternatives to incarceration, 224, 237–39

community-based probation, 86

community-based programs: in juvenile justice system, 75–76, 87–88; male-focused, 15; in Proposition 36

sentence, 131

community-based service providers, link between detention facilities and, 132

“community correctional facilities,” 133

community of women, 145, 154–58

community organizing, 234–35

conduct credits, 243

contagious illnesses, 17

control: and abuse, 67; money and, 169; parentification and, 47–48

co-occurring disorders, 150

Corcoran Prison, 204

counseling, 218, 222, 223, 245

county jail (CJ), 4; diversion from state prisons to, 16; for women, 29

court-appointed attorneys, 60, 90–91, 146–47, 159–61

covid pandemic, reentry programs in, 241–42, 246

crack cocaine, 23–24, 33, 102, 117

criminal justice reform, and women, 14, 15

Crips, 32–33, 35–36

crossover youth, 92–109; and adoption, 94; bail and, 95–96; and childhood abuse and trauma, 97–98, 99, 102; and children of incarcerated mothers, 96–97; and child separation, 92–94; and child welfare system, 99, 100–102, 105–6; defined, 87, 100; and drug dealing, 102–3, 104; and foster care, 94, 96, 98–99, 102; and gang membership, 99–100, 101; and group homes, 94; high incidence of, 94–95; and homelessness, 105; and intimate partners, 103–5, 108; and juvenile justice system, 100; lack of reentry plan for, 101–2; and probation camps, 101; and substance abuse, 105, 108–9; and termination of parental rights, 96, 106–7

Crossroads Halfway House, 151, 193–94

Cuellar, Erika: and Adela, 223; on custody of Ivy’s son, 243; on Homegirl Cafe, 142, 144, 156; on Ivy’s attorney, 91; on Ivy’s flight to Mexico, 145; on Janeth joining gang, 51; on Janeth’s arrest, 3–4, 6, 7, 8

culturally sensitive approach, 209

Cummings, Elder Michael “Big Mike,” 201

CYA (California Youth Authority), 78, 86

Danbury Federal Prison, 225

danger, alertness to, 38

Daniel (son of Rosa), 72, 219

DA reject, 16

Dawson, Melody, 92–93, 94

DCFS. See Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Deborah (social worker), 98–99

deferral of sentence, 237

Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS): and adoption, 108; bureaucracy of, 119; caseloads at, 36; and crossover kids, 92, 93, 98–99, 101, 102, 105–6, 108; drug testing by, 150; and family reunification, 214, 215–16, 217, 218; and foster care, 98–99, 102; and grandparents and surrogate parents, 142, 160; and juvenile justice system, 101, 102; and mental health conditions, 17; removal of child by, 56, 77, 92, 105–6; surrender by mother to, 167

deportation, 50–51, 89, 164, 202, 245

detention: vs. incarceration, 16; pretrial, 96, 132, 146–47, 235–37

detention centers, in juvenile justice system, 78–79, 80, 84–85

detention facilities, 14, 16, 17; links between community-based service providers and, 132

Diaz, Cynthia, 184

difficult prisoners, 20

Dilulio, John, Jr., 81

Dino (partner of Denise), 114

disability payments, 170

disorganized family systems, 46

diversion: as alternative to incarceration, 237–39; from state prisons to county jails, 16

diversity, 209

Dodge, (Sister) Terry, 193

domestic partner, betrayal by, 68, 189

domestic violence: and betrayal, 68, 189; in childhood, 65; criminalizing survivors of, 121; and gang membership, 33; guilt at, 68; health impact of, 166; and humiliation, 67–68, 207–8; after incarceration, 67–73, 198; law enforcement and, 88; normalization of, 68; protection and, 67, 69–71, 105, 143; redefinition of, 82; reentry programs dealing with, 129; and relapse, 121; shame at, 68; and substance abuse, 110–11, 121; talking about, 189; trauma and, 17, 37–38, 67, 71–72, 80–81, 107; underreporting of, 68

domestic violence classes, 107

domestic violence shelter, 118–20, 207–9

drug abuse. See substance abuse drug addiction, 23–24; parentification and, 49–50; of parents, 49, 50

drug court, 131

drug dealing, 103; by Susan Burton, 23; parental approval of, 103; by parents, 49, 50, 111; by partner, 198; for pin money, 5; success in, 197; to support family, 103, 136, 168, 190–92; by teenagers, 103

drug rehabilitation programs, 147–51

drug-related crimes, diversion programs for, 237

drug smuggling to incarcerated partner, 200–201, 202, 203

drug testing, 150, 218, 238

dual diagnoses, 150

economic marginalization, 240

education. See school

8 Ball Chicks (Sikes), 64

18th Street gang, 10

Elizabeth (daughter of Denise), 212–13, 232

Ella (partner of Rachel), 187

emotional abuse: in child welfare system, 102; cycle of, 68; freedom from, 198, 207–8; after release, 164

employment: and family reunification, 216; at Homeboy Industries, 53, 128; at Homegirl Cafe, 27; in jobs vs. careers, 227; after release from prison, 143–44, 155, 162, 164, 165, 216, 227. See also job(s)

empowerment, 153

Ending Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery (Enrile), 55

Enrile, Annalisa, 55

EOPS (Extended Opportunity Program and Services), at Los Angeles City College, 120, 166

Equal Opportunity Program (EOP), 246

Eric (partner of Denise), 67–69, 112–13, 114

Ernestine (Thea Ernie), 38–39

Estevez, Sonia, 162, 243

The Ex-Prisoner’s Dilemma (Leverentz), 183

extended family as surrogate parents, 48, 51, 54, 94, 95

Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS), at Los Angeles City College, 120, 166

family, after release, 145–46

family reunification, 214–31; challenges to, 214–15, 219; child welfare services and, 149–50, 214, 215–16, 219, 245; court-mandated expectations for, 215–16, 218; failure of, 94, 106, 217; foster care and, 216–17; goal of, 215; and Hope House, 224–25; and Hour Children, 225–31; housing and, 140; as motivation, 214; policymaking addressing, 240; rebuilding relationships in, 220–24

family-strengthening, 17

father, absent, 42–44, 49, 50, 190

“the father wound,” 43–44

fear: of abandonment, 86; of betrayal, 189; of deportation, 89; and domestic violence, 60, 66, 69, 70; of losing parental rights, 91, 95, 107; of pursuing dreams, 119, 166; during reentry, 177; and self-medication, 112

Felitti, Vincent, 37

felonies: on job application, 165, 171; and natural and probable consequences theory, 242–43; and sentencing, 210–11; women charged with, 238

felony murder charges, 242–43

Fields, Diane, 141

Fier, Heather and Joe, 216

“fight clubs,” 77, 78

fight or flight system, 38

financial insecurity, 172

financial sustainability, in reentry program, 193

Fitzgerald, (Sister) Tesa, 226–27, 230, 231

Flemke, Kimberly, 80

Florencia 13, 65

Floyd, George, 141

food: shortage of, 19–20, 50, 228–29; withholding of, 19–20

food bank(s), 246

Food Bank for New York City, 229

food pantry, 228–29

food stamps, 170–71, 191

Ford Foundation, 179

foster care, 92–109, 216; abuses in, 94; and adoption, 94, 95; Adoption and Safe Families Act and, 106; bail and, 16; barrio version of, 100; care by family members vs., 94; in childhood of incarcerated women, 36, 87, 95, 98, 101–2, 108; for children of incarcerated mothers, 96, 167, 201; and crossover kids, 92–109; and family reunification, 216–17; gender difference of placement in, 217; and kinship care, 216; as pathway to citizenship and upward mobility, 98; after release, 245; with strangers, 216; substance abuse and, 105, 118; and termination of parental rights, 216–17

friendships: in juvenile justice system, 85–86, 87; between women, 155–58

Frontera Prison (now Chowchilla), 186

funding streams, 241

gang(s): gender and activity in, 64, 254n2; initiation into, 64–65; mutual aid in, 165; and protection, 99–100, 101; reasons for joining, 36, 57–58; risk factors for joining, 64, 65; women in, 4–5, 9–11, 12, 52

gangbanging: by Clara, 100, 104; by Denise, 66; by Ivy, 49, 59; by Rosa, 57

gang enhancements, 71, 89

gang violence, 33, 35, 102

“gate money,” 133, 154, 258n14

Gates, Daryl, 23

gender, and gang activity, 64, 254n2

gender-based crimes, diversion programs for, 237

gender-expansive individuals: reentry programs for, 258n11; and sexuality in prison, 185

gender-responsive services, policymaking addressing, 240

gentrification, 32

GHN (Global Homeboy Network), 178

Gilbert (Clara’s step-father), 97

Gillette, Marissa, 219

Ginger (neighbor of Melody), 92

Girls’ Court, 237, 239

Girls Study Group, 82–83

Glass, Ira, 38

Global Homeboy Network (GHN), 178

Godboldt, Suzanne, 216

Golden, Renny, 215

graffiti, 9–11

grandparents as surrogate parents, 48, 51, 54, 94, 159–60

green card, 199, 202, 203

group homes, 94, 95

Guardian Scholars, 246

Guillermo (brother of Ivy), 49

halfway houses, 28, 127–41; as default reentry option, 129; finding work in, 138; lack of oversight and accountability for, 134; as “residential reentry centers,” 137–38; rules and regulations in, 134–35, 137–39; serving final months of sentence in, 133–34; shortage of, 129; time required in, 133

Harris, Nadine Burke, 38

HBI. See Homeboy Industries (HBI)

hierarchies in prison, 185–86

“high alert” status, 38

Homeboy Industries (HBI), 227; and absent fathers, 44; Greg Boyle on, 27; community at, 218–19; and crime committed by Janeth and Ivy, 3, 11; “Employee of the Month” at, 199; employment at, 218–19; Homegirl Cafe and, 156, 157; and jobs, 52–53, 128, 139, 227; Rosa at, 218, 243–44; and trials of Pedro, Ivy, and Janeth, 160

Homegirl Café: Adela at, 206, 223; Greg Boyle on, 27; chef and founder of, 184; community of women at, 155–58, 235; and crime committed by Janeth and Ivy, 3, 5, 7–8, 112; and halfway houses, 134, 135; and House of Ruth, 118; Janeth and Ivy working at, 143–45, 157; and jobs, 227; services and structure of, 27–28; and trials of Pedro, Ivy, and Janeth, 160

homelessness: of Carmen, 202, 203; of Clara, 99, 101, 103, 105, 150, 164, 246; of Denise, 63, 116–17, 149, 169; and food pantry, 229; in formerly incarcerated women, 162–63; and Interval House, 208; and recidivism, 140, 162–63, 164–65; single-room-occupancy hotels vs., 171

homicide(s): domestic violence-related, 121; gang-related, 10, 35, 102; Janeth and Ivy’s involvement in, 4, 6; panel attorney for, 90–91; rewards related to, 40; sentencing for, 220–21; by women, 11

Hope House, 224–25

Hour Children, 172, 174, 225–31, 235, 239, 241; and Hour Women, 227

House of Ruth, 118–20, 129, 165–66, 167, 173, 248

housing, 27–28; and family reunification, 216; policymaking addressing, 240; public, 163, 218; and recidivism, 162–63, 164–65; after release, 129, 140–41, 142–43, 150, 228; SAFE Housing Network and, 176–80; in single-room-occupancy hotels, 171; subsidized, 163, 167, 199, 202, 218; transitional, 134, 153, 224

Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act (1996), 163

hunger, 19–20, 50, 228–29

Iglesia Principe de Paz (Church of the Prince of Peace), 8–19

Illinois, elimination of cash bail in, 236

Illinois Pre-Trial Justice Act (2023), 236

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), 50

Imperial Village Crips, 35–36

incarcerated men, women’s relationships with, 198, 203–4

incarceration: community-based alternatives to, 224, 237–39; vs. detention, 16; and substance abuse, 112, 115–16

Incarceration Without Conviction (Mikaela Rabinowitz), 95

“incorrigibility,” 76

individualized approach, 239

Inglewood neighborhood, 35–36

Interval House, 207–8

intimate-partner violence. See domestic violence Isabel (daughter of Rosa), 219

isolation, 18, 67

jails: location of, 29; vs. prisons, 14, 15–16; punishment in, 19–20; reentry programs from, 131; and violence, 17

James, Donald “Twin,” 18

Jannsson, Nita, 196, 200–201, 203, 204, 214

Javier (partner of Clara), 103–4, 105–6, 107–8, 109, 118, 119

Jeffreys, Dionna, 26

Jessie (son of Ivy): father of, 5, 143; grandparents caring for, 89–90, 91, 142, 211, 243; and substance abuse, 112

job(s): career vs., 227; in Crossroads program, 193–94; and drug-related crimes, 202; and halfway houses, 135, 138; housing and, 140, 164, 215; interview for, 58; loss due to arrest of, 203; minimum-wage, 67, 70, 103, 168, 191, 215, 227; and parentification, 46; placement in, 53, 119, 139, 153, 172, 193, 223, 227; in prison, 20, 138; and recidivism, 128; training for, 53, 193, 227. See also employment Joe, Karen, 64

Johns, Kate, 186

Johnson, Anika, 48, 49, 110, 123

Johnson, Vonnie, 111, 123

Jones, Ella, 62

Jordan Downs (public housing development), 92

Joshua (son of Adela), 220–23

Juana (Adela’s bunkmate), 188, 247

Juarez, Adela: background of, 135–38; and childhood trauma, 65; and family reunification, 220–24; at Homegirl Cafe, 135–36; and Ivy, 59–60, 91, 144–45; and Janeth, 143–44, 157, 159–60, 181, 211, 243; after release, 150, 153; on romantic relationships, 206–9; on sexual relationships in prison, 184, 187–89; work of, 244

Julia (daughter of Adela), 206, 207, 220–24

Julio (partner of Ivy), 70

jute balls, 19–20, 22–23

juvenile justice system, 74–88; acting out and, 76–77, 82–83; arrest rates for girls vs. boys in, 81–82; California Youth Authority (YA) in, 78, 86; child welfare system and, 100–101; community-based programs in, 75–76, 87–88; detention centers in, 78–79, 80, 84–85; friendships between girls in, 85–86, 87; gender-based double-standard in, 76–77; male orientation of, 75; mental health conditions and, 78, 87; mental health counseling in, 78, 79; probation camps in, 75, 77–78, 84–86, 254n1; probation officers in, 78–79, 84, 86, 87–88; probation schools in, 86–87; protection and, 76, 79, 83–84; reentry or community-based supports after, 75–76; release from, 88; solitary confinement in, 85, 255n13; trauma and rage in, 80–81; “upcriming” in, 83, 84; “zero-tolerance” policies and, 83

juvenile probation camps, 75, 77–78, 84–86, 101, 197, 254n1

Kennedy, Sean, 52

Kenny (partner of Angela), 190–91

Kevin (partner of Carmen), 198

“kinship care,” 216

Dorothy Kirby Residential Treatment and Placement Center, 78–79, 80, 84

Krisberg, Barry, 83, 128, 130

Kristof, Nicholas, 176

LACC (Los Angeles Community College), 104, 120, 166, 171

LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department), 4, 9–11, 23, 33, 107, 108

lawyers, court-appointed, 60, 90–91, 146–47, 159–61

leadership, offered by ANWOL, 154, 233–34

Leap, Shannon, 203

learning disabilities, 244, 246

Lefty (husband of Adela), 206–8, 220, 222, 223

Leonard, Chester (“Len”), 86, 88

Leroy (partner of Denise), 171–72, 212–13

lesbian relationships, 184–95, 259n3, 260n7

Leverentz, Andrea, 177, 183

Lewis, Mandy, 45–46

LGBTQIA community, 178, 185, 259n3

lifers, marriage to, 203–4

“lived experience,” 32, 52

Lockhart, Serena, 74

Lompa, Karrah, 29, 152

loneliness, and sexual relationships in prison, 183, 186, 188, 189

Lopez, Eduardo (Clara’s boyfriend): and custody of children, 106, 118–19, 167; relationship with Clara, 104–5, 107, 108, 120–21, 163–64

Lopez, Evelyn, 42

Lopez, Janeth: appeal of case, 242–43; arrest and detention of, 3, 7–8, 13, 58, 60; charging of, 12; and child welfare system, 95; crime committed by, 3–4, 6–8, 9–10, 11, 12, 40; daughter of, 89, 90; early life of, 49, 50–51; at Homegirl Cafe, 143–44, 157; in juvenile justice system, 76; legacy of, 247; plea bargain offered to, 181–82; preparation for trial by, 91; relationship with Luis, 5, 50–51, 69; retrial and sentencing of, 210–11; trial of, 159–61

Lord, Elaine (Bedford Hills), 226

Los Angeles Community College (LACC), 104, 120, 166, 171

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, 29

Los Angeles County Health Services, 148

Los Angeles County jail, 197

Los Angeles County Probation Department, 77, 101–2, 154

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, 16

Los Angeles County Superior Court, 127

Los Angeles County Women’s Jail, 13, 14–15, 16–23, 236

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), 4, 9–11, 23, 33, 107, 108

low-security spaces, 20

Lucero, Rosa: and abusive relationships, 69, 71, 72–73; career planning by, 243–44; children of, 56–57; and child welfare system, 56–57; early life of, 52, 54–58; and family reunification, 212, 214–20; and gangs, 54, 57–58; at Homeboy Industries, 52; and juvenile justice system, 76, 77–80, 82, 83–84, 87, 101; lack of family support for, 146; and need for secure home, 141; substance abuse by, 52, 117

Luis (partner of Janeth), 5, 6, 50–51, 69, 90, 143

MacLaren Hall Children’s Center, 102

Maria (Clara’s sister), 97–98, 103, 121

marriage, to incarcerated men, 198, 203–4

Marshall, Denise: in abusive relationships, 66–69; on children after release, 212–13; and Clara, 100, 101; early life of, 33–39; further education of, 30–32, 232–33, 243; gang membership by, 33–34, 35–36, 63–64, 66–67; homelessness of, 63; in juvenile justice system, 76, 79, 81, 82, 84–88; lack of reentry services for, 131, 141, 146–49, 150; on obstacles to reentry, 168–72; parentification of, 45, 47; pregnancy of, 61–62, 73; at residential treatment program, 148–49; on sexual relationships, 184; substance abuse by, 112–17, 123

Marshall, Pamela, 158

Marshall Project, 106

Martin, Chris, 234

Martinez, Leyla, 234

Martinez, Pedro: arraignment of, 89; crime committed by, 4, 9–12; flight to Mexico by, 13, 40–41; public defender assigned to, 90; relationship with Ivy, 6, 59–60, 91, 112, 145, 182, 184, 207; trial of, 159–60

McAuliffe, Christa, 84

MCS-13 (Mid-City Stoners 13), 10, 57

men, as protectors, 62–73, 100

Mendez, Cirilo, 11

mental health conditions, 17; childhood sexual abuse and, 71; and juvenile justice system, 78, 87; parentification and, 47

mental health counseling, in juvenile justice system, 78, 79

mental health diversion, 17

mentorship, 52, 154, 172, 186, 199, 228

#MeToo movement, 141

Mexican Mafia, 10

Mid-City Stoners 13 (MCS-13), 10, 57

Mikey (Kenny’s brother), 191

Miller, Elie: on Alternative Custody Program, 133; on arraignment of Pedro, Ivy, and Janeth, 89; on bail for Janeth, 4; and Carmen, 200–203; and child protective services, 93; on crime committed by Janeth and Ivy, 7–8, 13, 40; on custody of Ivy’s child, 91; on flight of Pedro and Ivy to Mexico, 41; on legacy of Ivy and Janeth, 247; on natural and probable consequences theory, 242; on plea bargain offered to Janeth and Ivy, 181

molestation: during childhood, 33–34, 36, 39, 54–58; at probation camp, 254n1

mother: abandonment by, 42, 43, 48–49, 50–52, 54, 69, 87, 101, 182; betrayal by, 42, 44, 54–56, 57, 167; exploitation by, 45; taking place of, 44–48

mother-daughter relationship, 42–58

“the mother wound,” 44–45

murder. See homicide(s)

Murillo, Danny, 30

Bob Murphy Access Center, 246

Myra (Luis’ mother), 51, 90, 159–60, 211, 243

National Center for Victims of Crime, 33

National Network of Formerly Incarcerated Men and Women, 177

natural and probable consequences theory, 242

Navarrete, Ivy: appeal of case, 242–43; attraction to old life, 145; and child welfare system, 95; crime committed by, 3–4, 6–8, 9–10, 11, 12, 40; on custody of son, 89–90; drug use by, 111–12; early background of, 49–50, 51; flight to Mexico by, 13, 40–41, 58; at Homegirl Cafe, 157; housing and job after release, 142–45; and intimate-partner violence, 69, 70, 71; involvement in homicide, 145; and juvenile justice system, 76; legacy of, 247; panel attorney assigned to, 90–91; plea bargain offered to, 181–82; rehabilitation center for, 139; relationship with Pedro, 6, 59–60, 91, 112, 145, 182, 184, 207; retrial and sentencing of, 210–11; trial of, 159–61

New York City Justice System, 163

non-binary individuals, challenges faced by, 240

nonviolent crimes: bail for, 95, 96; diversion programs for, 237, 239

No Visible Bruises (Snyder), 67

Obama, Barack, 23, 255n13

objectification, 65, 66

observation deck, 18

Office of the Indigent Criminal Defense Attorney, 90–91

Orange Is the New Black (TV show), 28, 184–85

Ordonez, Ana, 9

Ordonez, Andres, 9–10, 40

“the orphanage,” 102

Ortega, Blanca, 62

overcrowding, in prisons, 15, 16–17, 20, 192

Pahola (daughter of Rosa), 72, 219

panel attorneys, 90–91

parent(s), grandparents as surrogate, 48, 51, 54, 94, 159–60

parental rights, termination of, 96, 106–8, 112, 216–17

parentification, 45–48, 51–52

parenting lessons, 226

parole or probation officers (POs): appointments with, 175–76; and help with reentry, 139–40; in juvenile justice system, 78–79, 84, 86, 87–88; and obstacles to reentry, 175–76; and recidivism, 174

PD (public defender), 90, 200–203

Philadelphia, diversion program in, 238

philanthropists, tour of jail by, 13–23

physical abuse: in childhood, 59–60, 71; in child welfare system, 102; by domestic partner, 6, 67–73, 208; and risk for joining gang, 64, 65

A Place for Us (San Bernardino), 151

plea bargain, 181–82, 192, 198, 201, 210

PO(s). See parole or probation officers (POs)

policymaking, major issues for, 240

post-trial facilities, 14

poverty: and criminal justice system, 168; and parentification, 46; policymaking addressing, 240; and pretrial detention, 236; race and, 169; and recidivism, 162–63, 165; substance abuse and, 117; and termination of parental rights, 105–6

PPI. See Prison Policy Initiative (PPI)

PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act, 2003), 185

pregnancy: of Adela, 206; of Angela, 190; of Carmen, 198; of Clara, 103, 105, 109, 110, 118; of Denise, 61, 73; and drug use, 110; imprisonment during, 239–40; of Ivy, 70; of Janeth, 69; with redemption baby, 217–18; of Rosa, 56, 212, 217, 218; of Theresa, 164

pretrial detention, 96, 132, 146–47, 235–37

pretrial facilities, 14

pretrial release program, 17

pretrial status, 16, 96

prevention, 241

prison(s): vs. jails, 14, 15–16; overcrowding in, 15, 16–17, 20, 192; reentry programs from, 132–33

Prison Policy Initiative (PPI): on ANWOL, 173; on halfway houses, 134; on number of incarcerated women with children, 96, 224; on number of women released each year, 129–30; on policymaking, 240; on recidivism, 162–63; on sexuality of incarcerated women, 185

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA, 2003), 185

probation, community-based, 86

probation schools, 86–87

Project Dawn Court Diversionary Program, 238

Project Fatherhood program, 44, 139, 201, 205

Proposition 36 sentence, 116, 131, 146

Propper, Alice, 186

prostitution, 47, 49, 55–58

protection: by gang, 99–100, 101; in juvenile justice system, 76, 79, 83–84; by male partner, 62–73, 104, 114

Prototypes, 238

pseudo-families, in prison, 185–86

public assistance, 165, 171

public defender (PD), 90, 200–203

public housing, 163, 218

punishment: in jail, 19–20; treatment vs., 238

Rachel (Adela’s bunkmate), 187, 188

racialized violence, 17

rage, 80–81, 102, 220

Rampart district (Los Angeles), 10

rape: during childhood, 65; in gangs, 64; and homicide, 5; in prison, 185, 259n4

reactive approach, 239

realignment, 16

recidivism: abuse, 68; after ANWOL, 173–74; definition of, 173–74; family reunification and, 140; homelessness and, 162–63, 164–65; after Hour Children, 230–31; poverty and, 162–63, 165; pretrial detention and, 236; vs. relapsing, 173–74; risk of, 150, 162; self-reporting of, 260n13; substance abuse and, 112; success and, 199; unemployment and, 162, 164, 165

reentry programs: allowing children to live with mother, 224–31, 239–40; best practices in, 173, 174; case managers in, 134; community of women in, 145, 154–58; components of compassionate and effective, 153; in domestic violence shelter, 119; vs. entry services, 115; funding streams for, 241; gap between what women need and what is available for, 127–28, 140; and “gate money,” 133, 258n14; in global pandemic, 241–42, 246; at Hour Children, 172, 174, 225–31; housing in, 129, 140–41; from jails vs. prisons, 131, 132–33; in juvenile justice system, 75–76; leadership and mentorship in, 154; links between detention facilities and community-based service providers in, 132; national model for, 173, 174–75, 176–80, 224–31; A New Way of Life (ANWOL) as model, 151–55, 157, 158; and nonlinear nature of recovery, 129; and number of women released each year, 129–30, 258n8; obstacles in, 168–72, 175–76; “one size fits all,” 28; parole or probation officer in, 139–40; policymaking on, 240; from probation camps, 101–2; and pull of past, 142–46; role of family in, 145–46; rules in, 153–55; self-determination in, 154–55; shortage of, 240–41; sources of information on, 134; specifically for women, 131–32; survey on experience with, 177–78; time limit on, 153–54; for trans and gender-expansive individuals, 258n11; trauma and, 128–29, 144–45, 147–51

relapsing: at ANWOL, 154–55; by Clara, 110; Crossroads and, 194; by Denise, 149–50, 169; by Ivy, 89, 112; recidivism vs., 173–74; by Rosa, 52; substance abuse and, 121; success and, 199; trauma and, 53; vulnerability to, 118

relationship churning, 68

“residential reentry centers,” 137–38

residential treatment program, 147–49

responsibility, parentification and, 47–48

restitution payments, 162–63, 216

Rice, Connie, 117

Ridley-Thomas, Mark, 151

Rikers Island, 163

risk assessment tools, 237

Robinson, Edith, 175–76

Rockwood gang, 9–10, 51

Rodriguez, Arlene, 65

role models, 44, 177, 233

Rollin’ 20s gang, 10

Rollin’ 30s gang, 32–33, 35

Ronnie (partner of Angela), 192–93, 194

Ross, Dr. Robert (Bob), 151

Rossum, Kristin, 192

Roulet, (Sister) Elaine, 225–26, 230

Royal Palms (Substance Abuse Treatment Center), 52

rules and regulations: in effective reentry program, 154–55; in halfway houses, 134–35, 137–39

Runkle, Christin, 179, 234

running away: from child welfare system, 99, 102; as crime, 76, 81, 87

SAFE (Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom and Equality) Housing Network, 176–80, 235, 241, 242

safety: and abandonment by mother, 42; in childhood, 69; child welfare system and, 98, 215; and domestic abuse, 66, 67, 69; with gang, 64; at Homegirl, 156, 157; in probation camps, 77–78, 85–86, 101; in reentry program, 157; and relationships with men, 62–63, 64, 67, 68, 70, 114, 171; after release, 148; of undocumented immigrants, 199

Sam (brother-in-law of Adela), 221

same-sex relationships, 184–95, 259n3, 260n7

Sam, Topeka, 224–25

sanitary napkins (“sanis”), 19, 75

SB (Senate Bill) 1437, 242–43

school: acting out at, 82–83, 97–98; for children of incarcerated mothers, 93, 191, 213, 222, 223, 244; early life failures in, 34–35, 49, 50, 69, 111, 136; and economic failure, 162; after incarceration, 30–32, 61, 104–5, 120, 164, 166–68, 171–72, 213, 232–33; at probation camps, 79, 85, 86–88, 101; in transition from incarceration, 119–20; trouble in, 34, 35, 50; zero-tolerance policy at, 83

Schwarzenegger, Arnold, 24

Second Chance Women’s Reentry Court (WRC), 238

Section 8 subsidized housing, 163, 167, 199, 202, 218

self-medication, 49, 72, 105, 108–9, 110–23

Senate Bill (SB) 1437, 242–43

Sentencing Project, 224

sex trafficking, 53–58; diversion programs for, 237, 238

sexual abuse: in childhood, 23, 33–34, 36, 39, 44, 54–58, 71, 197; and gang membership, 66; high incidence of, 38; and incarceration, 65; repeated pattern of, 67–73; and risk for joining gang, 64, 65; and substance abuse, 110, 117; trauma due to, 37, 80

sexual behavior, situational, 187–88

sexual initiation, 63

sexuality, adolescent, 76

sexual objectification, 65, 66

sexual relationships: and gang life and crime, 184; hesitation to discuss, 189; post-release avoidance of, 183–84; in prison, 184–93; after release, 196–209

sex work, diversion program for, 238

Shakur, Tupac, 36

Sherman, Lydia, 139

Shorty (Elie Miller client), 7

Sikes, Gini, 63–64

Simone (partner of Angela), 194–95, 244

single-parent families, and parentification, 46, 48

single-room-occupancy hotel (SRO), 171

Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom and Equality (SAFE) Housing Network, 176–80, 235, 241, 242

situational sexual behavior, 187–88

Sleepy (husband of Adela), 206, 222

Smith, Rowena, 120, 166

Smith, Shannon, 144, 154

snitching, 64, 187

Snyder, Rachel (No Visible Bruises), 67

social stigma, 205, 216

social workers, caseloads of, 36, 98–99

Solis, Beatriz, 74–75

Solis, Hilda, 74

solitary confinement, 18; in juvenile justice system, 85, 255n13

Sonya (friend of Joanna), 29, 43

“the spiral of despair,” 117–18

SRO (single-room-occupancy hotel), 171

STAR (Succeeding Through Achievement and Resilience) Court, 237

state prisons, diversion to county jails from, 16

“status offenses,” 76–77, 81

stigma, social, 205, 216

street justice, 62

stress, toxic, 38

students, formerly incarcerated, 30

subsidized housing, 163, 167, 199, 202, 218

substance abuse, 23–24, 110–23; and abusive relationships, 71; by adolescents, 103–4; availability of treatment for, 118; criminalization of, 150; incarceration and, 112, 115–16; in juvenile system, 112; parentification and, 47, 49–50; by parents, 49, 50; pregnancy and, 110; relapse of, 112, 121, 150; trauma and, 110–11, 114–15, 117, 147–48; treatment vs. incarceration for, 116

substance abuse programs, 147–51; as alternative to incarceration, 237

Succeeding Through Achievement and Resilience (STAR) Court, 237

suicide, 104, 113–14, 245

super-predators, 81–82, 87

supervised visits, 107, 218

supervision, as alternative to incarceration, 237–39

survivor’s guilt, 47

Sykes, Vanee, 224–25

Taconic Correctional Facilities, 230

tagging, 9–11

Taylor, Breonna, 141

Temple Street gang, 10, 40

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), 246

Theresa (daughter of Clara): birth of, 103; and Clara’s relationship with Eduardo, 104; custody of, 119, 163; and DCFS, 105–6; disappearance with Javier of, 109; in foster care, 118; during incarceration, 122; rebuilding relationship with, 167, 247; supervised visits with, 107, 108; as teenager, 164, 166

Thug Life (rap group), 36

Time for Change Foundation, 234

trans individuals: challenges faced by, 240; reentry programs for, 258n11

transitional living facilities, 134, 153, 224

trauma: childhood, 52–58, 59; criminalization of, 150; protection from, 62–73; and rage, 80–81; and reentry programs, 128–29, 144–45, 147–51; running away as response to, 97–98; secondary, 99; and substance abuse, 110–11, 114–15, 117, 147–48; and violent adult relationships, 71–73

trauma-informed care: Susan Burton and, 233; at Camp Scott, 254n1; in halfway house, 153; policymaking addressing, 240; in reentry programs, 238–39, 240; for substance abuse, 148, 151

Trayvon (son of Angela), 192, 194

treatment, vs. punishment, 238

trust, in juvenile justice system, 78–79

trusting relationships, with other women, 155–58

Tyrone (son of Angela), 194, 195, 244

UCLA. See University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) undocumented immigrants, 98, 197, 199, 202, 203

unemployment, 162, 164, 165, 171, 172

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): Denise at, 31–32, 61, 100, 168, 172, 213, 232, 243; discrimination at, 31; Theresa at, 247; Underground Scholars Initiative at, 30

“upcriming,” 83, 84

urban development, 32

US Department of Health and Human Services, 219

Vasquez, Clara: as crossover youth, 100–101; custody of children of, 105–6, 107–8, 119, 163, 166; Denise and, 87; drug dealing by, 103, 122; early life of, 97–109; education of, 244–47; and family reunification, 216, 231, 244–47; and House of Ruth, 118–20, 150, 165–66, 167; incarceration of, 122–23; in juvenile justice system, 100–102; membership in gang by, 99–100; need for secure home by, 141; rebuilding relationships with children by, 167–68; relationships with men, 103–5, 107–8, 120–21; release and reentry of, 127, 163–65; on sexual relationships, 184; substance abuse by, 105, 109, 110, 119

vatitos, 187, 189

Velez, Valerie, 61

Veronica (daughter of Clara): birth of, 118; custody of, 118; during incarceration, 122; rebuilding relationship with, 163, 164, 166, 167, 244–47

victim(s), formerly incarcerated women as, 65

victim compensation fines, 162–63

violence: gang, 33, 35; at home, 33; jails and, 17; racialized, 17. See also domestic violence Visiting Nursing Services of New York, 229

War on Drugs, 96, 118

Warren, Sheri, 127

Washington, Angela, 127, 134, 183, 189–95, 244

Washington Corrections Center for Women, 239

Washington, DC, elimination of cash bail in, 236

Washington State Residential Parenting Program, 239

Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC), 58

Watts neighborhood, 29, 44

Welcher, Shayna, 3, 156, 157, 227, 232

welfare, 165, 171, 191

Westlake neighborhood (Los Angeles), 8–9, 10

West Side Rebels (WSR13), 99

White, Christine, 37

Wicked (gang name), 40

Wilkins, Cheryl, 234

Williams, Carol, 208

WLCAC (Watts Labor Community Action Committee), 58

women: criminal justice reform and, 14, 15; in gangs, 4–5, 9–11, 12; murder by, 11; types of crimes by, 15, 96

women of color: and abortion, 218; domestic abuse of, 68; economic challenges for, 162–63; and healthcare inequity, 218; overrepresentation in jails and prisons of, 168, 239; pretrial detention of, 22

women-only residential treatment program, 148

women’s courts, 239

Women’s Reentry Court (WRC), 238

work-force development, 227

wraparound services, 241

WSR13 (West Side Rebels), 99

youth offender parole hearing, 243

Zarate, Pati, 144, 156, 184

“zero-tolerance” policies: in domestic violence shelter, 119; and juvenile justice system, 83; in residential treatment program, 149