Social Support of Offenders Under Community Supervision

• In Event: Improving Outcomes in Correctional Populations II

Abstract

Strong positive social supports have been found to aid in coping with a multitude of life stressors. While nobody is immune to life stressors, additional stressors may exist for adult offenders living under community supervision; however, there has been limited research about the potential sources of social support. This exploratory study uses survey and interview data to understand both the sources of social support (family, interpersonal relationships, governmental programs, community resources, and agents of the criminal justice system [Cullen, 1994]) and stressors as experienced by offenders. Data were collected in a southern California county from offenders in two probation reporting offices. Using this approach, I examine the relationship between social supports of offenders and their self-reported success while under community supervision.

Author

• Crystal Null, University of California, Irvine