NCJ Number
227317
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 36 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2009 Pages: 541-566
Date Published
June 2009
Length
26 pages
Annotation
Using a sample of 313 women probationers in Missouri, this study tested the predictive power of 3 pathways for the women's incarceration, either through a probation violation or the commission of a new offense.
Abstract
The three tested pathways to recidivism and continued offending leading to incarceration were confirmed. One of the pathways leading to reoffending began with childhood victimization that contributed to past and current forms of mental illness and substance abuse. Another pathway to reoffending was a relational pathway in which women's dysfunctional intimate relationships were linked to their victimization, reductions in self-efficacy, and current mental illness and substance abuse. A third confirmed pathway to reoffending involved deficits in social and human capital in the areas of education, family support, self-efficacy, and relationship dysfunction, which contributed to employment/financial difficulties, criminal behavior, and subsequent imprisonment. These pathways to offending, reoffending, and incarceration are more prevalent among women offenders than male offenders. Key measures of the women's needs were obtained from two instruments developed for the Women's Need and Risk Assessment Project: a risk/needs assessment interview developed by the Missouri Women's Issues Committee; and a self-report survey completed individually, which was designed to supplement the risk/needs assessment interview. The assessment interview contained scales that measured employment and financial needs, educational strengths, family support, history of substance abuse, dynamic substance abuse, history of mental illness, current depression/anxiety, and childhood and adult victimization. 7 figures, 5 tables, 5 notes, and 96 references