How Parolee's Mental Health Status Impacts Parole Supervision and Outcomes

• In Event: Challenges to Developmental and Psychological Determinants of Crime

Abstract

Persons reentering the community from prison report higher rates of mental health problems than the general population. For example, studies have estimated the presence of mental illness of those on community supervision from 11% to 20% (James & Glaze, 2006; Louden & Skeem, 2011). Resuming life in the community after incarceration is often a difficult transition and for an inmate who has a mental illness, this transition can be even more difficult. For many, this proves to be nearly impossible, and results in them returning to prison. Past studies looking at recidivism of parolees have found that mental illness has been linked to supervision failure, but these links are often complicated. Does having a mental illness result in obtaining a higher risk level and affect supervision failure indirectly? Or does mental illness directly influence supervision failure? Furthermore, co-occurring disorders can exacerbate failure further, and also increase overall level of risk for parolees. The present study examines the relationship between mental health status, risk level, parole supervision failure, and recidivism for parolees with mental health disorders and those with co-occurring disorders. Initial results indicate that mental illness may directly affect supervision failure, and implications for policy will be provided.

Author

• Kaitlyn Rines, Michigan State University