As a consultant with the National Institute of Corrections Women Offender Initiative in Washington DC, Dr. Flower conducted a review of the empirical evidence on women and employment, published in October 2010 (see published report here). Shawn also reviewed the differences by gender in a series of key domains related to recidivism including lifetime history of sexual and physical abuse, mental illness, anxiety/depression and psychosis, and issues related to dysfunctional relationships both as an adult and related to conflict within the family of origin.

In May 2012, Dr. Flower was asked by NIC to conduct a nationwide inventory of formal organizations that target justice involved women across multiple spectrums including criminal justice, healthcare, public policy, advocacy, and legislative groups. This project will culminate in a database that can facilitate an information sharing network to advance the overall well-being of women involved in the criminal justice system.