RT Article
T1 Prisoners' Personal Networks in the Months Preceding Prison: A Descriptive Portrayal
JF International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology
VO 63
IS 3
SP 383
OP 405
A1 Bellair, Paul E.
A1 Light, Ryan
A1 Sutton, James
LA English
YR 2019
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1667565834
AB This study examined personal networks of adult male prisoners (N = 250) during a high-risk period prior to their incarceration. We present a descriptive portrait of network size, density, and relational type, and we then document the nature of ties within that network, focusing specifically on alters' criminal involvement, criminal opportunity, and reinforcement of criminal behavior. We found that prisoners' networks were large and dense, and that they were composed primarily of family and romantic partners. Most prisoners are not embedded in a personal network saturated with criminal influence before coming to prison. Yet, a small proportion are exposed to exceptionally negative influence, which, it is argued, may increase the risk of negative outcomes upon release if not addressed by evidence-based programs.
K1 Personal networks
K1 Social support
K1 Prisoners
K1 Criminal associates
DO 10.1177/0306624X18799575