293 - Female Sex Workers and the Police

Dr. Susan Sherman talks with Lindsay Smith Rogers about her 2016-2017 research on the relationship between female sex workers and police, including how abusive policing practices directly and indirectly put the health and safety of the women at risk. They then discuss Dr. Sherman's recommendations for a different approach. Note: After this podcast was recorded, Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced that the city will permanently stop prosecuting prostitution, drug possession, and other low-level offenses—a move that began during COVID-19 as a way to dedensify prisons and jails. KEYWORDS: decarceration; substance use; gender equity