Factors Influencing Reentry Success Among Reentering Men and Their Partners: Findings from the MFS-IP Evaluation

• In Event: Critical Issues in the Evaluation of Reentry Programs

Abstract

Despite much research on prisoner reentry over the past decade, relatively little is known about factors associated with reentry success along a variety of dimensions among men released from prison. Even less is known about family characteristics and couple-level factors that may influence reentry outcomes. The National Evaluation of Responsible Fatherhood, Marriage and Family Strengthening Grants for Incarcerated and Reentering Fathers and Their Partners (MFS-IP), funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has provided the opportunity to collect information about factors associated with reentry success among men and their intimate partners following the man’s release from prison.

As part of the MFS-IP evaluation, we conducted baseline interviews with approximately 2,000 reentering men and their partners in five states, as well as 9-, 18-, and 34-month follow-up interviews. We will use baseline and follow-up data for the study participants who were released from prison during the study period to identify couples who were successful along a variety of reentry dimensions (e.g., employment, substance abuse, criminal behavior) and identify the individual- and couple-level factors associated with membership in that group.

Authors

• Danielle Steffey, RTI International / Florida State University

• Christine Lindquist, RTI International

• Anupa Bir, RTI International

• Tasseli McKay, Research Triangle Institute