While the number of women in U.S. jails remains low in comparison with the number of men, over the past 10 years their admission rate has soared and now surpasses the rate of increase for men. While demongraphic information is available on these women, it tells us little about who they are as people, how they become repeat offenders, or how they survive on the street.Barbara A. Rockell sheds light on these issues in a fascinating and empathic study of female repeat offenders admitted to a New York state jail. Despite the women's self-defeating behaviors, many of them reveal a surprising...