The Impact of Network Relationships, Prison Experiences, and Internal Transformation on Women's Success After Prison Release

Abstract

Using data obtained from retrospective, in-depth interviews with 20 successful female parolees, the present study examines the effects of women offenders' relationships with people in their social networks (i.e., their network relationships) before, during, and after incarceration on their postrelease desistence from crime. Because women's social networks facilitate women's criminal activity in the past, shifts are necessary to promote successful parole outcomes. A combination of negative relationships dissolving due to incarceration, women's conscious efforts to improve their social networks, and the availability of prison programming and some prosocial family members work together to enable women to access social networks that help them avoid crime after release. The study suggests the value of prison and parole programming that systematically identifies networks that can meet women's needs and that ensures access and availability of social networks for women with varying needs.