Cross-national differences in women’s imprisonment rates: exploring the conditional effects of gender inequality and other macro-level factors

Abstract

Prior research examined cross-national differences in imprisonment, yet few studies considered the specific nature of women’s imprisonment. The current study fills an important gap in the literature by assessing the socio-economic factors associated with women’s imprisonment rates. Cross-national differences in women’s imprisonment are examined using a social threat perspective. Our study demonstrates that the relationship between gender inequality and women’s imprisonment is highly contextual and depends on nations’ levels of development. Specifically, gender inequality significantly increases women’s imprisonment in high developed nations, but decreases women’s imprisonment in low developed nations. Results are discussed in relation to their theoretical and policy implications.