Concerns and Coping Strategies of Women Inmates Concerning Release

Abstract

Abstract This article examines reintegration issues as experienced by women inmates approaching release. The data, based on unstructured, in-depth interviews with 40 incarcerated women, highlight the practical concerns that the inmates anticipate upon release and how they plan to overcome the obstacles before them. Housing, employment, familial reintegration, and substance abuse issues were commonly discussed. Coping strategies for overcoming these obstacles included education, 12-step programs, and prayer. Their accounts reveal the anxiety and fear associated with release and highlight the need for programs and policies to assist reintegration efforts.