The Family’s Role in the Reintegration of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

Abstract

Using data from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative evaluation, this study measures the effects of perceived levels of emotional and instrumental family support on the likelihood of self-reported criminal activity and new arrests in the 15 months following release from state prison. Logistic regression models using both listwise deletion and multiple imputation are employed. Findings indicate that higher levels of emotional support are associated with a significant reduction in reoffending. Higher levels of instrumental support do not significantly predict reoffending. The findings have implications for policies and practices within the corrections system as well as post-release supervision agencies.