Navigating Prison Life:The Impact of Social Support Across Age and Criminal History - CANCELLED

• In Event: The Prison Experience for Incarcerated People and Their Support Systems

Abstract

Until recently, the prison population was characterized by younger individuals; however, there has been a shift with a growing number of older incarcerated individuals. Although research has begun to explore the challenges of this population, fewer studies have examined how older incarcerated individuals adjust to prison. Research has identified factors contributing to prison adjustment for other subgroups, finding that maintaining or increasing outside social connections can mitigate maladjustment and promote well-being. However, studies on prison adjustment have often grouped all incarcerated individuals together or focused on only a few measures of social support. Thus, the current study contributes to literature by examining the effects of informal and formal social support on the in-prison adjustment of older incarcerated individuals with differing criminal histories. Using data from the Survey of Prison Inmates (2016), the findings reveal that older incarcerated individuals, as well as those who have been reincarcerated multiple times, tend to have smaller social networks and are significantly more likely to use mental health services compared to their counterparts. However, the findings related to institutional misconduct were more complex, suggesting that social support measures may highlight a separation effect. The study concludes with a discussion of policy and treatment implications.

Author

• Jessica Rich, Florida International University