Racial Differences in the Influences of Social Integration and Recidivism

• In Event: Correlates of Recidivism in the Context of Reentry

Abstract

Incarcerated persons face difficulties socially integrating upon their release. Employment, successful treatment, and residential stability are elements of social integration for offenders released from prison. Few studies have examined the predictors of indicators of social integration, let alone black-white differences in these effects. Such an inquiry is important because deficits in social integration are associated with higher odds of recidivism. We examine black-white differences in the influences of indicators of social integration among a large representative sample of individuals released under post-release supervision in Ohio. We also assess whether these indicators of social integration coincide with differences in individuals’ odds of recidivism, and whether there are black-white differences in the magnitude of effects.

Authors

• Ebonie Epinger, University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Benjamin Steiner, University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Matthew Makarios, University of Northern Iowa

• Lawerence F Travis, University of Cincinnati