Can Social Support Overcome the Individual and Structural Challenges of Being a Sex Offender? Assessing the Social Support-Recidivism Link

• NCJ Number: 253905
• Journal: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 63 Issue: 1 Dated: 2019 Pages: 32-54
• Author(s): Kimberly R. Kras
• Date Published: 2019
• Length: 23 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2008-DD-BX-0002
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description

Annotation

Using mixed methods, this study examined the nature and effects of instrumental and expressive social support from family, friends, intimate partners, and parole officers on recidivism for a sample of men convicted of sex offenses.

Abstract

Social support is important for an individual's successful reentry; however, little is known about how it operates or is influenced by individual and structural factors. Understanding how social support matters for individuals convicted of a sex offense is especially important, since they may have a different reentry experience due to the nature of their crimes and post-conviction restrictions. Results of the current study indicate that support from family, friends, and intimate partner had no effects on recidivism; however, participants reporting a positive relationship with their parole officers were at greater risk of returning to prison. Qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews sheds light on how the nature of these relationships might explain the social support-recidivism link in a high-stakes population. (publisher abstract modified)