Correlates of Six-Month Recidivism among Rural Incarcerated Women

With growing rates of incarceration among women, it is crucial to understand factors associated with reincarceration. Rural incarcerated women have increased risks for strains and drug use. General Strain Theory posits that strains (drug use, psychosocial stressors) are associated with recidivism. Women experience as much, or more strain than men. The present secondary analysis examined intravenous drug use (IDU) and psychosocial factors (partner status, employment status, educational attainment, number and custody of children) as correlates of 6-month recidivism among women incarcerated in rural jails. Baseline and 6-month follow-up data for 361 women were examined. Two logistic regression models tested IDU and psychosocial characteristics as correlates of 6-month recidivism, highlighting changes in correlates from baseline (Model 1) to follow-up (Model 2). Model 1 indicated number of children and partner status as significant correlates. Model 2 indicated number of children, employment, and IDU as significant correlates. Implications for desistence interventions were discussed.