Poster #116 - Healing Between the Lines of Post-Incarceration and Mental Health: A Quantitative Evaluation of Black Male Reentry

• In Event: ASC Poster Session II

Abstract

Black men remain disproportionately impacted by U.S. criminal legal systems. With over 650,000 individuals released from incarceration each year and nearly 68% rearrested within three years, Black men exhibit the highest recidivism rates across all major demographic groups. Despite the growing literature on reentry challenges, research is limited in identifying protective factors that contribute to long-term desistance among this population.

Using a cross-sectional quantitative design, this dissertation research investigates the relationship between mental health, perceived social support, and criminal desistance among N=130 formerly incarcerated Black men enrolled in reentry programs across California and the Washington, DC Metro area. Participants will complete a comprehensive survey incorporating validated measures, including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Personal Wellbeing Index, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data will be collected via Qualtrics and analyzed using Pearson’s r, MANOVA, and Canonical Correlation to identify predictors of mental health and desistance.

This study aims to inform policies and interventions that support successful reentry, reduce recidivism, and promote the reintegration of Black men into society. Ultimately, this work contributes to criminological scholarship and democratic practice by seeking equitable outcomes for a historically marginalized population within the criminal legal system.

Author

• Devyn Elizabeth Brown, Howard University