Involvement in the Criminal Justice System and Incarceration among Women and Men Living Homeless in Spain

This article studies in a sample of women and men living homeless in Spain the issues that are most closely linked to involvement in the criminal justice system and incarceration. The study was carried out in Madrid (Spain) with a representative sample of men living homeless (n = 158) and a sample of women living homeless of a similar size (n = 138). A structured interview was used to gather the information. Results show that people living homeless in Madrid have had a greater degree of involvement with the criminal justice system and show higher levels of imprisonment, both before and after finding themselves in homeless situations. People living homeless who were imprisoned presented factors of particular vulnerability: Periods of childhood and adolescence in dysfunctional family settings, more frequently situations of homelessness, worse physical and mental health conditions, and higher levels of alcohol and drug abuse.