NCJ Number
247175
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 31 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2014 Pages: 746-766
Date Published
August 2014
Length
21 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this study was to explore how the intersection of offenders' mental health (MH) problems and release statuses impacts recidivism.
Abstract
The authors examined 3-years of postrelease recidivism data for former inmates that reintegrated into New Jersey communities in 2006 (n = 10,777). The authors constructed Cox regression models predicting various forms of criminal and non-criminal recidivism including rearrests, reconvictions, parole revocations, and a combined measure of rearrests and parole revocations. In addition to models that included all returning offenders, the authors constructed smaller models that isolated the impact of MH problems for parolees and unconditionally released inmates as well as the impact of supervision status for inmates with and without MH problems. The results indicate that parole supervision can aid those with MH concerns in making a successful transition into the community. Parole decreased the likelihood of experiencing a new arrest by 30 percent while controlling for MH problems and MH problems increased the likelihood of experiencing a new arrest by 20 percent while controlling for release status. Findings are discussed within the contexts of service availability and case management. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.