A recent forum in New Hampshire called attention to the relative under-representation of women in the criminal justice field. The Laconia (NH) Citizen quoted Plymouth State University criminal justice professor Stephanie Halter as saying that women comprise only 11% of police officers, 24% of correctional officers and 25% of legal professionals across the country. "While women have made inroads into careers in the field of criminal justice over the last 40 years, it remains largely a male-dominated profession to this day," said Halter, who organized the forum at Plymouth State. Among the women who spoke at the forum were state supreme court justice Linda Dalianis and representatives from the county prosecutor's office, the public defender's office, and the New Hampshire State Prison for Women. "Women not only can but should work as police officers, correctional officers, lawyers, judges, wardens and fire fighters," said Halter. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job prospects for correctional officers are "excellent" in the foreseeable future, but warns that conditions can be "stressful and hazardous." The same can be said for qualified police recruits, while dispatchers, paralegals and legal assistants are seen as entry-level opportunities in criminal justice with strong growth potential.  |