§367D-2 Model programs; department of corrections and rehabilitation. Subject to funding by the legislature, the director of corrections and rehabilitation shall foster a gender-responsive environment by providing model gender-responsive programs for female offenders that are responsive to statewide needs and geographical areas and shall award contracts for the programs. The gender-responsive environment and programs shall:
(1) Respond in a rehabilitative way to the type of offenses female offenders generally commit and address pathways to crime;
(2) Respond to the problems of female offenders with dependent children;
(3) Respond to the importance of developing self-determination through independent living and marketable job skills;
(4) Assist female offenders in overcoming their own extreme degree of dependency by developing and fostering strong and healthy relationships without losing self-esteem;
(5) Respond appropriately to the specific health care needs of women, including but not limited to mental health and substance abuse services;
(6) Offer transitional support for female offenders and their families to promote successful reentry into their families and communities; and
(7) Offer technical assistance and training toward the implementation of other similar programs. [L 2006, c 258, pt of §2; am L 2022, c 278, §29]