U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 From Prison to Home: Women's Pathways In and Out of Crime
NCJ Number
              226812

Author(s)
          Jennifer E. Cobbina Ph.D.
Date Published

May 2009
Length
              243 pages
Annotation
              Drawing on primary indepth and survey interviews as well as official records, this study examined the reentry experiences of a matched sample of Black and White women (n=50) residing in  metropolitan St. Louis, MO, after their release from prison, with attention to postrelease challenges, strategies for reintegrating into the community, reasons for reoffending, and the motivators and methods used to desist from crime.
Abstract
              Common reentry challenges experienced by the women were finding housing and jobs, as well as obtaining access to health care and drug treatment. Many Black women parolees reported that their families helped them to make the transition from prison to the community; and some of the women, both Black and White, indicated that finding employment was crucial in their successful reintegration efforts. The majority of paroled women who successfully reintegrated into the community noted the importance of having access to resources and support services, regardless of race. Many of these women cited the emotional support and resource referrals of their parole officers as critically important for their successful postrelease transition. The multiple challenges of parole and transition into the community, however, left both Black and White women feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the difficulties they faced. The absence of support systems or the existence of negative support systems, as well as unsupportive parole officers compounded their difficulties. Drug dependence was a major cause of reoffending for both Black and White women. Although most had received some type of substance abuse treatment in their lifetimes, it had not enabled them to overcome their drug addiction. Reasons for desisting from crime included not wanting to return to prison, reuniting with their children, and developing more positive social interactions and resources for a law-abiding lifestyle. Recommendations pertain to treatment access, increasing positive social support, and improving economic conditions. 3 tables, 3 figures, 261 references, and appended survey questionnaire
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2008-IJ-CX-0005


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Report (Study/Research)


  
  
        
  Award
        From Prison to Home: Women's Pathways In and Out of Crime
    
  
  
Date Published: May 1, 2009
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Adjustment to parole
        Black/African Americans
        Comparative Analysis
        Corrections effectiveness
        Female inmates



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Comparison of High-Resolution and Dynamic Reaction Cell ICP-MS Capabilities for Forensic Analysis of Iron in Glass
                  Fear of Crime Among Arab Americans in a Culture of Fear
                  A Postconviction Mentality: Prosecutorial Assistance in Exoneration Cases
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov