Explaining Inconsistencies in The Effects of Incarceration on Socioeconomic Attainment: A Family Capital Approach

• In Event: Causes and Consequences of Crime and Victimization: Mechanisms and Moderators

Abstract

Recent reviews report mixed findings on the associations between incarceration and socioeconomic outcomes. One explanation for these inconsistencies may be variation in post-release resources that promote socioeconomic attainment. Family-based social capital is one type of resource that enhances attainment outcomes and that is available to some people with incarceration histories. We used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 10,000) and moderated mediation models to examine whether housing support from parents buffered the associations between prior incarceration and educational attainment, earnings, and neighborhood attainment. Some evidence of moderation was found. Towards the beginning of early adulthood, co-residence with parents improved previously incarcerated individuals’ neighborhood attainment above the levels enjoyed by their never-incarcerated counterparts. Towards the end of early adulthood, incarceration was negatively associated with educational attainment only among those not co-residing with parents, and indirect paths between incarceration, earnings, and neighborhood attainment via education were only present for that same group. These patterns provide partial evidence for a protective effect of parental housing support on post-incarceration socioeconomic outcomes. Protective factors such as family capital may help counteract the stigmatization processes that would otherwise undermine previously incarcerated persons’ post-release success.

Authors

• Sonja Siennick, Florida State University

• Alex Widdowson, University of Louisville

• Brian Stults, Florida State University

• Julie L. Kuper, University of Wyoming