Menstruation: Crime Causation & Deviance !

A study was conducted in a women's prison in HM Prison, by Katharina Dalton, December 30, 1961 - report published. This study explored the potential link between the menstrual cycle and criminal behavior, drawing on previous research that connected menstruation to accidents and psychiatric illness (Dalton, 1959-1960). Over a period of six months, interviews were held with newly convicted women under the age of 55, along with those reported for bad behavior during their sentences. The interviews collected data on their age, parity (number of children), menstrual cycle length, symptoms before or during menstruation, and the timing of their offenses relative to their menstrual cycle.She investigated the relationship between menstruation and criminal behavior. Over six months, newly convicted women were interviewed about their menstrual cycles, and behavior records were analyzed.

Key findings:

- Of 386 newly convicted women, 74% menstruated regularly, and 41% committed their offenses in the previous 28 days.

- Nearly half (49%) of the crimes were committed during menstruation or the premenstrual phase, significantly higher than expected (29%). Crimes of theft had the highest occurrence (56%).

- Premenstrual tension (PMS) was observed in 27% of offenders, and 63% of them committed their crimes during PMS symptoms.

- Bad behavior in prison was also more common during menstruation, especially among repeat offenders (70%).

The study suggests that hormonal changes during menstruation and PMS may contribute to increased irritability, lethargy, and slower reactions, potentially leading to criminal behavior or easier detection during this time. It emphasizes the need for medical treatment for PMS to prevent recurring criminal tendencies.

Type of Crime:

- Crimes of theft (shoplifting, burglary, forgery, embezzlement) showed a strong correlation with menstruation, with 56% of these crimes occurring during menstruation or the premenstrual phase.

- Prostitution (convictions under the Street Offences Act of 1959) had a lower correlation, with 44% of offenses occurring during menstruation or the premenstrual phase.

- Alcohol-related offenses (drunk and disorderly) also showed a similar pattern, with 54% of these crimes occurring during menstruation or premenstrual tension.

Premenstrual Tension (PMS) and Crime:

- PMS was defined as a combination of mood changes, headaches, tiredness, bloating, or mastitis during the premenstrual phase.

- Of the 156 prisoners who committed crimes in the past menstrual cycle, 43 (27%) reported experiencing PMS, and 63% of these 43 women committed their crimes during their symptoms.

- PMS was more common among those sentenced for theft (29%) compared to those convicted of prostitution (19%), suggesting a stronger link between PMS and theft.

Behavioral Problems in Prison:

- Of the 94 regularly menstruating prisoners who exhibited bad behavior, 54% were reported to be disorderly during menstruation or the premenstrual phase.

- Prisoners with repeated offenses were more likely to exhibit bad behavior during menstruation (70%) compared to those who were only reported once (43%).

- Premenstrual tension was a significant factor in prison misbehavior, with irritability and other PMS symptoms contributing to these infractions.

First Offenders vs. Repeat Offenders:

- First-time offenders were more likely to commit crimes during the premenstrual phase, while repeat offenders and women with multiple prior convictions tended to commit crimes during menstruation itself. This pattern mirrors previous findings on accident proneness among nulliparous (women who haven’t had children) and parous (women who have had children) women.

Nulliparous vs. Parous Women:

- The study also noted a difference between nulliparous and parous women in terms of when they committed crimes in relation to their menstrual cycles. Nulliparous women were more prone to commit offenses during the premenstrual phase, while parous women tended to commit crimes during menstruation. This is consistent with previous findings related to accident proneness in different stages of the menstrual cycle.

Interpretation of Results:

- The study suggests a highly significant relationship between menstruation and criminal behavior. The hormonal changes during menstruation, particularly during PMS, may make individuals more prone to irritability, lethargy, slower reactions, and emotional instability, which could contribute to criminal behavior.

- It is also possible that women are more easily detected when committing crimes during these phases of their cycle due to symptoms like slower reaction times and reduced cognitive sharpness, which make them less efficient at concealing their actions.

Discussion on Impact of Menstruation:

- Premenstrual Symptoms: Women suffering from premenstrual tension were more prone to commit crimes during this time, which could be linked to symptoms like irritability, depression, water retention, and physical discomfort.

- For example, irritability might lead to violence or assault, lethargy might result in child neglect, and depression could lead to suicidal tendencies (which was still a crime at the time of the study).

- Alcoholism: Water retention during menstruation may exacerbate the effects of alcohol in the body, leading to an increased likelihood of drunkenness and disorderly conduct during this phase.