Being Troublesome

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Abstract
This research examines violations reported against women probationers and compares them with those filed against males. A study of 339 reports reveals that a greater proportion of violations for men than for women are based on new criminal charges. In contrast, charges against women are disproportionately technical violations of probation. Given the overcrowded correctional facilities and the consequent concern for revoking only the most serious cases, interviews with agents were conducted in order to suggest reasons why women are troublesome enough to report for technical reasons. Analysis of these interviews suggests that, from the agents' perspectives, some women became troublesome for two reasons: they made time-consuming demands that tended to be organizationally disruptive and the kinds of problems they experienced tended to lie beyond the interests of the agents. In the face of pressures to revoke only for serious problems, these administrative complications made women troublesome enough to warrant violation reports.