Marriage and probation completion in a sample of offenders with significant mental illness

• In Event: Mental Health among Incarcerated Populations

Abstract

Relationship status has long been considered to influence outcomes over the life course. Within criminology, the vast majority of research suggests that marriage reduces criminal involvement. Importantly, however, a small number of recent studies indicate that marriage can serve as a risk factor for certain groups and actually encourage crime. Considered together, these divergent findings suggest that much is left to understand about how marriage influences specific groups of at-risk individuals. The current study assesses the influence of marriage among a group of offenders on the Severely Mentally Ill (SMI) caseload in Maricopa County Arizona (Phoenix area) between 2007 and 2012 (n = 2813). Utilizing intake data as well as offender risk/needs scores, the effect of marriage on SMI offenders’ successful completion of probation and early termination from probation are assessed.

Authors

• Philip Mulvey, Illinois State University

• Matthew Larson, Wayne State University