Work

Willingness to change and coming home from prison

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This study's purpose is to explore the factors which maximize willingness to change within people as they are released from prison. Using data from a panel of men in the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI) study and a hybrid item response theory approach, a modified graded response model is used to estimate people's overall willingness to change. That estimate serves as the dependent variable in a series of regression models which examine which factors relate to a person's willingness to change. Results demonstrate that a variety of experiences prior to incarceration (e.g., prior employment, criminally-inclined peers) and during incarceration (e.g., religious support, family conflict) significantly relate to a person's willingness to change. Understanding the pre- and during-incarceration experiences of individuals can help inform policy and reentry programs tailored to increase the positive attitude of being willing to change and desist from crime. • Being willing to change is critical for people undergoing the reentry process. • What relates to one's willingness to change (WTC) upon release from prison? • Experiences and relationships before and during prison relate to WTC. • Criminally involved peers and family conflict seem particularly harmful for WTC. • Programs could be made which target increases in WTC to help reduce recidivism.

Source: Journal of Criminal Justice

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102283

Authors: Kyle Jordan Bares, Thomas J. Mowen, Richard Stansfield, Nathan W. Link, John H. Boman

Institutions: University of Wyoming, Bowling Green State University, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Language: English

Topic: Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,510