Open AccessMULE TALES: AN EXPLORATION OF MOTIVES AMONG FEMALE DRUG SMUGGLERS
Author(s) -
Melvina Sumter,
Dianne Berger-Hill,
Ingrid Phillips Whitaker,
Frank R. Wood
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of global engagement and transformation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2572-455X
DOI - 10.52553/10001f
Subject(s) - exploratory research , extant taxon , prison , criminology , drug trafficking , political science , psychology , sociology , gender studies , public relations , social science , evolutionary biology , biology
This study is an exploration of motives among female drug smugglers held under custodial control in a Caribbean prison. This exploratory study provided some insight into why women engaged in the risk associated with smuggling drugs. While past research has primarily focused on the economic hardships women tried to address by engaging in drug smuggling, other research has emphasized the glorification of drug culture in some communities, past victimization and abuse, and the need to improve one’s status. This research revealed some additional reasons that are not typically examined in extant research. In particular, some women rather than making a rational choice to smuggle drugs, were simply tricked or bamboozled into schemes to smuggle and that in many instances, women became involved in smuggling because of their desire to please or help a male figure in their lives.