Prisoner Social Networks: Patterns Observed in Longitudinal Visitation Data

• In Event: Emergent Research on Inmate Social Networks

Abstract

As evidenced by the recent growth in prison visitation and social network studies, there is renewed interest in the in-prison experiences of the more than 1.5 million individuals behind bars in state and federal prisons in the U.S. (Carson, 2015). Gaining a better understanding of prisoner social supports and how these relationships can affect outcomes is of key importance. Theoretically, social networks and their maintenance are relevant to prisoner outcomes both during incarceration and post-release, yet little is known about the maintenance of these social bonds during incarceration. This study uses detailed, longitudinal visitation records from New York State facilities from 2000 to 2013 to characterize prisoner egocentric external social networks. The study proceeds to examine whether there are changes in egocentric prisoner-visitor networks over time, as well as, whether certain types of egocentric prisoner-visitor networks are associated with prisoner (e.g., crime type, length of criminal record) or prison system characteristics (e.g., length of stay, distance from home) or post-release outcomes (e.g., recidivism).

Author

• Audrey Hickert, University at Albany, SUNY