Women's Recidivism and Reintegration: Two Sides of the Same Coin (From Women at the Margins: Neglect, Punishment, and Resistance, P 295-318, 2002, Josefina Figueira-McDonough and Rosemary C. Sarri, eds. -- See NCJ-197190)

• NCJ Number: 197195
• Author(s): Patricia O'Brien; Nancy J. Harm
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 24 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research); Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter discusses the findings of a literature review of studies that have examined factors that correlate with recidivism and reintegration for women released from prison, with attention to two studies that constitute an initial attempt to describe and understand women's obstacles and supports for re-entry after incarceration.

Abstract

Although the foci of the two featured studies were different, they complement and support each other. One study (O'Brien, 2001) involved interviews with women in Kansas who self-identified as successful after incarceration. The other study (Harm and Phillips, 2001) interviewed women in Arkansas who had returned to prison after release. Both studies used in-depth interviews to describe the experiences of women who were living in the community after release from prison or who, at the time of the interviews, had been returned to prison. Both studies were conducted in 1996. The O'Brien study found that the critical elements for successful reintegration after release from prison were living arrangements, supportive relationships, employment, community membership, and internally derived efficacy. The Harm and Phillips study, on the other hand, identified comparable variables missing from the women's postprison experience that led to their subsequent return to prison. The Arkansas women had no community placement available and became dependent on family members for housing. In their relationships, family reunification was difficult; and parole officers were viewed by the women as irrelevant to the process of reintegration. Low-wage jobs and no child care prevented women from supporting themselves and their children. Regarding community affiliation, there was no sense of belonging to a community and a lack of appropriate services. In the area of self-efficacy, the Arkansas women lacked coping strategies and blamed themselves for lack of access to treatment. In sum, both studies found that better coping skills combined with the availability of some resources or support were necessary to prevent reincarceration. 3 tables and 39 references