Title:	A Study of Formerly Incarcerated Women's Recidivism and Reintegration
Investigators:	Patricia O'Brien, PI; Robin Bates, Co-PI; Cassandra McKay, Investigator; Keisha Farmer-Smith, Project Coordinator (CUPPA)
Funding Sources:	National Institute of Justice
Start/End Dates:	October 2000-September 2002
Description:	This project examines the extent to which demographics, family functioning, relationships, institutional experiences, offense history, and physical and emotional needs affect recidivism (defined as re-arrest up to one year after release from prison) among women prisoners. It also investigates factors associated with women's successful community reintegration. The goals of the study are twofold: First, to determine factors that predict recidivism among women prisoners, and second, to identify and describe elements that contribute to women's reintegration following release from prison.  Women serving time in a mid-western state who were due to be released in the first six months of 2001 were eligible for inclusion in the study. These women were given the opportunity to complete an extensive in-prison survey covering demographic information, education, work history, family history and relationships, legal and institutional history, drug and alcohol use, physical and mental health, abuse history, and relationships with children. Data on re-arrest up to one year following the release of the women from prison will be collected from the State Police.  In addition, a voluntary subsample of 55 women were chosen to participate in a series of semistructured interviews. Two of these interviews took place while the woman was still incarcerated, and three took place during the six months following release. Transcripts of the interviews will be coded for topics, themes and issues in order to identify similarities and dissimilarities across cases and interviews over time.