§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]