Poster #203 - Testing FPT: A Retrospective Examination of the Relationship Between Recidivism and Mental Health Among Incarcerated Women

• In Event: ASC Poster Session I

Abstract

Background: According to Feminist Pathways Theory (FPT), legal system-involved women have higher rates of trauma exposure, substance abuse, mental health problems, psychological distress, and severity in symptomology. In the Deep South, these issues are exacerbated due to widespread systemic issues, making successful re-entry insurmountable. Historically, recidivism has been studied as a future construct, leading to attrition and unreliable outcomes. This study examines recidivism retrospectively to address this gap.
Methods: This study analyzed data from the Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA). Univariate and bivariate analyses and stepwise logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between mental health and recidivism while controlling for other known factors associated with legal system-involvement among women.

Results: Data analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between recidivism and history of substance use (p<.001), as well as race (p<.001) and age (p<.001). Conversely, all stepwise models conveyed no significant relationship exists between recidivism and mental health, trauma, or poverty.

Implications: This novel retrospective approach aids in reducing recidivism by illuminating non/understudied challenges women are/have faced post-incarceration. Retrospective recidivism data is also of practical relevance to judges, attorneys, and parole/probation boards as it provides full histories and emerging patterns related to all prior incarcerations, resulting in more appropriate risks/needs assessments.

Author

• Stefanie Binion, Eastern Kentucky University