Examining the Role of Familial Support During Prison and After Release on Post-Incarceration Mental Health

In this study, we examine whether familial support—either positive or negative—in-prison and after release affects mental health outcomes post-release. Using the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI) dataset, we regress post-release mental health on in-prison familial support, post-incarceration familial support, and changes in familial support. We find that while in-prison family support does not affect mental health, post-release familial support does. Also, experiencing an increase in negative familial support is associated with lower post-incarceration mental health. We conclude with a discussion of policies which may facilitate better familial support environments.

Source: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology - December 4, 2015 Category: Criminology Authors: Wallace, D., Fahmy, C., Cotton, L., Jimmons, C., McKay, R., Stoffer, S., Syed, S. Tags: Articles Source Type: research