The Role of Inequality and Economic Disadvantage in County-Level Recidivism

• In Event: Theory, Context and Prisoner Reentry

Abstract

With the exception of a few studies most of the body of research on recidivism has focused on individual-level analysis. Kurbrin and Stewart’s (2006) attempt to examine the problem at the neighborhood-level identified higher risk for recidivism in neighborhoods with greater levels of inequality and higher levels of economic disadvantage. The present research moves one step further by examining these effects on recidivism at the county-level. In particular recidivism rates are examined for 254 counties across three states (Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana) to determine if the impact of inequality and economic disadvantage persist at the county-level as well.

Authors

• Bryan K. Robinson, University of Mount Union

• Anna Dean, The Sage Colleges

• Andy Bain, University of Mount Union