Women Offenders’ Social Support Networks: Examining Characteristics of the Most and Least Helpful Network Members

• In Event: New Directions in Labeling, Reintegrative Shaming, Social Support/Social Network, and General Theories of Crime

Abstract

Despite the large body of literature on social support, social network theories and techniques have rarely been applied to understand criminal justice problems. Specifically, the egocentric networks of female offenders have yet to be examined to understand structural and composition characteristics which predict access to resources. This study utilizing a unique interactive software to complete face-to-face interviews with 40 female offenders regarding their egocentric social networks and resource accessibility. The mixed method design also incorporates a qualitative component to understand the roles of women’s most helpful and least helpful network members, in relation to their navigation of probation supervision. This presentation will focus on the odds of women receiving access to resources from alters, with special consideration for dyadic, ego, and alter characteristics. Additionally, the research uses the voices of the women to clarify the importance of receiving support from specific network members.

Author

• Marva V Goodson, Michigan State University