From Cell to Society: Investigating Successful Prison Re-Entry and Life Course Influences

open_access
Open Access
Author:
Lucas, Madeline
Area of Honors:
Criminology
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Derek Allen Kreager, Thesis Supervisor
Gary J Adler, Jr., Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
re-entry
age
life course
recidivism
Abstract:
This study uses a mixed-methods approach to examine the re-entry experiences of older individuals with long-term incarceration histories and aims to understand the unique barriers that this population faces upon prison release. The study estimates ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models of administrative data from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (N=13,174) and thematically codes interview data collected from residents (N=6) of a novel re-entry program, the Cumberland House, to explore how age and incarceration length influence various aspects of the re-entry process, including recidivism, obtaining stable housing and employment, maintaining social and familial relationships, and mental health. Quantitative analyses indicate that older re-entrants have lower recidivism rates compared to younger groups, yet they continue to experience significant barriers related to employment and mental health. Housing instability, while prevalent among all age groups, was also identified as a critical challenge. Qualitative findings reveal that these barriers are interconnected, reinforcing one another and complicating the re-entry process. The study highlights the Cumberland House program as a promising example of how structured, trauma-informed support can improve outcomes, which suggests that comprehensive policy interventions addressing these interrelated barriers are necessary for successful reintegration.