Disparities in Social Support and the Implications for Prison Life

• In Event: The Impact of Social Support During & After Imprisonment

Abstract

Research on prison social order suggests that dimensions of individuals’ pre-prison lives, such as social support and social ties, influence in-prison experiences. At the same time, social exchange theory highlights that disadvantaged groups might have less social support. Taken together, theory suggests that disparities may exist in in-prison experiences that are caused by disparities in social support prior to incarceration. This paper uses inmate survey data to test this possibility. Specifically, we assess sources of disparities in social support prior to incarceration, the implications of social support in prison, and whether disparities in social support contribute to disparities in critical in-prison experiences. Implications for theory, research, and policy will be discussed.

Authors

• Claudia Anderson, University of Cincinnati

• Joshua Cochran, University of Cincinnati

• Elisa Toman, Sam Houston State University