‘Buffers’ against crime? Exploring the roles and limitations of positive relationships among women in prison

Abstract

A considerable amount of research focuses on the detrimental influence that relationships pose for women offenders while relatively little attention has been given to the potential positive impact of relationships in their lives. This study investigates how women offenders’ positive relationships work as ‘buffers’ against their criminal involvement, as well as why some positive influences do not elicit long-term change in women. We examine various forms of relationships (both romantic and non-romantic) that female offenders develop and explore the mechanisms by which these relationships might influence their behavior. Life history interviews conducted with 60 incarcerated women revealed that women’s family members, friends, significant others, and children provided support, social capital, motivation, and opportunities which can buffer women from criminal behavior, but that women’s drug use, disadvantage, interest in, pride or shame, and desire to make positive changes limited the effectiveness of these relationships.

Sex Offender Supervision in Context

“…Qualitative interviews are a common method of gathering perceptual data (Barry, 2007;Hanrahan, Gibbs, & Zimmerman, 2005;E. M. Wright, DeHart, Koons-Witt, & Crittenden, 2013).…”

Women Offender Assessment: Can Gender-Informed Variables Improve Prediction of Institutional Outcomes?

“…Within correctional institutions, intimate relationships are proposed to contribute to the adjustment of incarceration in women. Wright, DeHart, Koons-Witt, and Crittenden (2013) found life history interviews with incarcerated women revealed that family members, children and intimate partners provided opportunities, motivation, social capital and support that can be a positive influence on the offender's behaviour.…”

Challenges Facing Young Men Returning from Incarceration in Hong Kong

“…A growing number of studies point to the importance of social support in offender reintegration (Visher and Travis ; Wright et al . ; Adorjan and Chui ; Liu and Chui ). Cullen () posits that those who have strong social capital are less likely to engage in criminal activities and, by the same token, social support can help offenders turn away from crime.…”

“…A growing number of studies point to the importance of social support in offender reintegration (Visher and Travis 2003;Wright et al 2013;The Howard Journal Vol 53 No 4. September 2014 ISSN 0265-5527, pp.…”