photo by Agapao Productions
Roberta Richman has held numerous positions at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections during the course of her almost 33 years of employment. In her last position held from 2001 until July 1, 2012, she served as assistant director of rehabilitative services overseeing community corrections including probation, parole, and home confinement, and all prison based programming and treatment including education and vocational training, health services, mental health and substance abuse treatment and many specialized counseling programs. During the ten years of her tenure as warden, she introduced many innovative gender responsive programs for female offenders. Her primary focus throughout her career has been on preparing incarcerated men and women for their reentry into the community upon release and the development of activities designed to bridge the gap between institutional services and community corrections.
What are the opportunities for girls and young women?
In the early 70s as a young mother and artist I became actively engaged in the Feminist movement and still consider myself a Feminist. I know the word is not one most young women use to describe themselves today, the advice I give when asked, is shaped by a Feminist perspective. Although the Feminist movement challenged the inequality of the sexes and made great strides in changing the world for girls and women, the goals of the movement, even now, are far from met. Girls and young women today still face challenges and choices that boys and men do not have to face.
When I began my career in Corrections I quickly realized that women offenders needed an advocate. They were far outnumbered by men and their unique needs were ignored. I became that advocate and in 1991, when I was appointed Warden of Women’s Prison, I was able to dedicate myself to improving the lives of the 200 women I was responsible for. The women I met in prison, at the lowest ebb of their lives, taught me more about myself, about life and the world we live in than any other influence I’ve experienced. I learned to understand how vital hope is when it seems that all hope is gone. And I learned that even under the very worst kinds of abuse the human spirit can survive and thrive if given half a chance. The best advice I was able to give those women was to believe in themselves and understand that they have the power to change their futures. Seeing many of them succeed against all the odds was deeply gratifying.
Fortunately, most young women and girls don’t have to face the same challenges faced by women in prison. But the challenges they do face need to be taken very seriously. My daughters taught me that each of us, no matter how privileged, has to deal with challenges and hard complex issues and choices. I advise them and other young women to be true to who they are. Don’t let others tell you how you should live your life. Accept opportunities even if they seem unlikely or unfamiliar. As a young woman I could not have imagined a career in Corrections. It became my life’s work by chance and has truly been a gift. But my work did not stop me from raising my children, involving myself in many community service activities and continuing my work as a professional artist.
Society tries to tell young women they cannot have it all, that they have to make choices and sacrifices that men don’t have to face. I disagree. You may not be able to have it all at any one time, but the possibility of living your life as you decide is real. You owe it to yourself to know who you are and shape your own life goals. Never turn down an opportunity out of fear or uncertainty. Take chances and follow your instincts and interests. You may end up in unexpected places doing important work and changing the world around you.
