Gender, Co-Offending, and Recidivism among a Sample of Robbery and Burglary Offenders

This study examines whether several aspects of co-offending are related to recidivism, and whether those relationships are gendered. A sample of 400 people (200 men and 200 women) released from prison after serving sentences for burglary or robbery is used to answer these questions. Results of Cox regression models showed risk of rearrest was lower for those who co-offended, those with more co-offenders, and those who co-offended with romantic partners or family members, while risk of rearrest was higher among those with leadership roles in the offense. However, gender-specific analyses revealed these relationships were only observed among women. The results point to the importance of gender in understanding recidivism and provide insights into effective correctional programming for women.

Decomposition of the Role of Family in Reentry: Family Support, Tension, Gender, and Reentry Outcomes

A vast body of reentry research has investigated the role of family in facilitating reentry success. However, it is largely unknown whether family can both be a source of support and conflict and if so, whether these impacts are gender-specific. This study explores the heterogeneous elements that family brings to the reintegration process. Findings suggest that released prisoners’ families can bring either crime-inhibitory or criminogenic influences depending on the familial environment. Support from family members protects respondents from criminal recidivism, while strained family relationships are a significant predictor for drug use. Moreover, the detrimental effect of family tension is gender-sensitive: Females released from prison suffer an amplified risk of reentry failure under family tension. Implications for correctional programming are discussed.

Exploring the Correspondence Between General Correctional Programming and Inmate Misconduct Using a Time-Course Framework

Inmate misconduct continues to threaten safety and order within correctional institutions. Yet few studies have examined its longitudinal nature. In this paper we explore the correspondence between correctional programming and inmate misconduct. To do this, we draw from Linning et al.’s time-course framework devised to improve the design and evaluation of interventions by considering effects that can occur before, during, and after programming. We provide the first empirical demonstration of their framework using prisoner misconduct data collected from all Ohio prisons between January 2008 and June 2012. A cross-lagged panel analysis provides support for the use of a time-course framework. Results show that misconduct decreased during programming. However, we observed increases in misconduct prior to and following exposure to programming. Our results suggest that future work needs to improve our understanding of causal mechanisms of inmate misconduct and when their effects are expected.

Domestic Violence Treatment in Colorado: An Overview of an Evidence-Based Approach

In 2010, the State of Colorado revised its state standards to create consistency across the state for its domestic violence (DV) cases by placing emphasis on the integration of evidence-based practices into its DV treatment programming. Since then, Colorado has established a three-tiered differential treatment model informed by the principles of effective intervention (PEI), an evidence-based framework found in correctional programming. This article reviews the PEI framework, outlines the emerging research that explores the principles among DV offenders and their treatment, and provides an overview of Colorado's differentiated DV treatment model. Policy and research considerations are also discussed.

Halfway Out: An Examination of the Effects of Halfway Houses on Criminal Recidivism

Halfway houses are a form of community supervision and correctional programming that have become a staple intervention in recent years. Despite the ingrained belief in their benefits with respect to successful reintegration, this assumption may not be justified based on the existing literature. The current study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of nine studies examining the effects of halfway houses on recidivism. Overall, the findings suggest that halfway houses are an effective correctional strategy for successful reentry (log odds ratio [LOR] = 0.236, z = 9.27, p < .001). Further work is needed to determine best practices for programming and meeting the needs of different participants.

Correctional Programming and Gender

As the number of women under correctional supervision continues to increase in the United States, attention to gender within correctional programming is crucial as women offenders present with different concerns than their male counterparts. Gender differences exist in a range of criminal justice factors, including pathways to involvement in the criminal justice system, frequencies in types of offenses, treatment needs, and facilitating factors for treatment engagement and positive outcomes. Thus, this chapter highlights the importance of gender in terms of correctional program design and delivery. Gender-responsive programming for women involved in the criminal justice system is guided mainly by the feminist pathways theory of women’s criminality, as well as additional theories. This framework considers the interconnected roles of trauma and victimization histories, substance abuse, economic and social marginalization, and the gendered effects of criminal justice policies and practices. For gender-responsive programming, elements that should be considered in women’s treatment and services in correctional settings include: program environment or culture or both, staff competence, theoretical foundations, treatment modalities, reentry issues, and collaboration. In addition, principles of trauma-informed care are crucial elements needed in systems and services for women involved in the criminal justice system. These two frameworks of gender-responsive programming and trauma-informed care offer specific principles that can be applied across correctional settings for women to shape policies, programming design, program delivery, and daily practices. Likewise, these frameworks encourage community-based responses to women’s involvement in criminal behaviors. Gender is a crucial element for correctional programming in multiple ways.