Correlates of Six-Month Recidivism among Rural Incarcerated Women

Abstract

With growing rates of incarceration among women, it is crucial to understand factors associated with reincarceration. Rural incarcerated women have increased risks for strains and drug use. General Strain Theory posits that strains (drug use, psychosocial stressors) are associated with recidivism. Women experience as much, or more strain than men. The present secondary analysis examined intravenous drug use (IDU) and psychosocial factors (partner status, employment status, educational attainment, number and custody of children) as correlates of 6-month recidivism among women incarcerated in rural jails. Baseline and 6-month follow-up data for 361 women were examined. Two logistic regression models tested IDU and psychosocial characteristics as correlates of 6-month recidivism, highlighting changes in correlates from baseline (Model 1) to follow-up (Model 2). Model 1 indicated number of children and partner status as significant correlates. Model 2 indicated number of children, employment, and IDU as significant correlates. Implications for desistence interventions were discussed.

Keywords:

• Family
• injection drug use
• recidivism
• rural incarcerated women

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would also like to recognize the cooperation and partnership with the local Department of Corrections.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was financially supported by two grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA; 5R01DA033866-02, PI: Staton and R01DA033866-04SI, PI: Peteet]. Opinions expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not represent the position of NIDA or the Department of Corrections.