Predictors of Recidivism for Women Parolees in Philadelphia

• In Event: Theories and Predictors of Reoffending

Abstract

The rate of incarceration among female offenders has surpassed males for the first time in our history. For many women, their entry into the criminal justice system is uniquely different from their male counterparts. Similarly, they often face gender specific challenges in reentry and successful reintegration in the community upon release. Many of these women will return to core urban communities characterized for their incivility and disorder, further hindering their reintegration. With larger numbers of women entering our prisons and jails, it is important to also consider gender specific risk factors of recidivism. In the current study, parolee and neighborhood characteristics will be examined for their association with re-incarceration and time to re-incarceration. The analyzed sample includes all female parolees returned to the City of Philadelphia by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections between the years 2007 and 2008.

Authors

• Christine Saum, Rowan University

• Kimberly Houser, Rowan University

• Eric McCord, University of Louisville