HARD HIT: The Growth in the Imprisonment of Women, 1977 - 2004 is the first study of its kind, analyzing the striking growth in the numbers of women in prison, state-by-state over nearly three decades. The report provides context to the alarming growth trends and reviews what is understood about the phenomena by researchers who study women in the criminal justice system.

Anchored by the research of Dr. Natasha A. Frost and accompanied by the analysis of Justice Strategies, HARD HIT is the first in a series of reports to be put out by the Institute on Women & Criminal Justice that will examine the states' treatment of women in the criminal justice system. The aim of these reports is to shed light on the phenomenon of punitiveness - its pervasiveness, its roots, its consequences, and possible responses.

Findings include:

-Across the board, the growth has been dramatic.

-Tremendous state and regional variances exist.

-Women, families, and communities are devastated by imprisonment.