Post-prison Social Networks and their Association with Recidivism

• In Event: The Challenges for Leaving Gangs

Abstract

Imprisonment is argued to have unfavorable consequences for existing social ties of detainees. Moreover, research suggests that ex-prisoners’ social ties are of key importance for successful reintegration into society, which is, in turn, associated with recidivism rates. This paper extends previous research is this area by detailing the association between post-prison social networks and recidivism using self-reported network data collected as part of the Prison Project, a nationwide longitudinal study among male inmates in The Netherlands. These data are combined with registered recidivism data. More specifically, we test how 1) post-prison social and criminal networks of ex-detainees look like in terms of network size, amount of deviancy, type of relationship with ex-detainee, and network quality, and 2) these post-prison social and criminal networks are related to recidivism.

Authors

• Hanneke Palmen, Leiden University

• Derek Kreager, Pennsylvania State University

• Sara Wakefield, Rutgers University

• Anja Dirkzwager, NSCR

• Paul Nieuwbeerta, Leiden University