Abstract:  Our study investigates the relationship between participation in prison vocational training programs and inmates’ adaptation to incarceration in a Chinese female prison, with a specific focus on the most common program in this setting—the sewing program. Drawing on survey data from 492 incarcerated women, we employed an OLS regression model to examine how participation in the sewing program relates to prison adaptation, controlling for prison‐specific factors and personal/social characteristics. Contrary to expectations, sewing program participation was significantly associated with lower levels of adaptation. In contrast, the mental health score emerged as the strongest positive predictor. These findings suggest that such vocational training programs may not necessarily facilitate inmates’ adjustment, and highlight the importance of psychological well‐being in the rehabilitative process. The study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of prison vocational training programs and has implications for the design of gender‐responsive correctional policies.

Keywords:  China; mental health; prison adaptation; sewing program; vocational training program; women’s prison

Published:   27 August 2025

Issue:   Vol 13 (2025): Policies, Attitudes, Design: Promoting the Social Inclusion of Vulnerable Women in Greater China (In Progress)