More NCJRS Abstracts, Fourth of July Edition

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NCJ 218740
Jennifer J. Harman; Vernon E. Smith; Louisa C. Egan
Impact of Incarceration on Intimate Relationships
Criminal Justice and Behavior: An International Journal Volume:34 Issue:6 Dated:June 2007 Pages:794 to 815

This study examined specific relationship challenges and factors impacting the reunification of ex-prisoners with their intimate partners upon their release. Three main themes emerged from the research: (1) how couples coped with separation; (2) the challenges couples faced during reunification; and (3) specific relationship dynamics that might put couples at risk for HIV infection. The findings suggest that upon reunification, partners have trouble reestablishing trust and intimacy and men feel a sense of emasculation, particularly if they are dependent upon their partner for financial support. The focus group participants focused on the institutional barriers to relationship maintenance, feelings of isolation while incarcerated, coping with sex and beliefs about infidelity, the awkwardness of starting over with their mate, challenges with reestablishing trust and intimacy, role strain, struggles for power and control, substance use and continued criminality, and HIV issues. The findings support calls to provide mental health, substance abuse, and health rehabilitation programming within prisons. Future research should focus on how to ease prisoner reunification with intimate partners. The research employed a focus group methodology in which 12 ex-prisoners, who were recruited from around New Haven, CT through the use of brochures and referrals from community-based organizations, completed 5 focus group interviews and 1 in-depth interview. All participants had been involved in a heterosexual relationship with an intimate partner prior to and during their incarceration. Focus group discussions focused on open-ended questions about their separation and reunification with their partner after incarceration. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically for emerging themes. References

NCJ 218737
Naomi J. Freeman
Predictors of Rearrest for Rapists and Child Molesters on Probation
Criminal Justice and Behavior: An International Journal Volume:34 Issue:6 Dated:June 2007 Pages:752 to 768

Drawing on a sample of sex offender probationers, this study explored whether predictors of rearrest differed for rapists and child molesters. Study results indicated that at the 3-year follow-up, rapists were significantly more likely than child molesters to be rearrested for a nonsexual crime whereas child molesters were significantly more likely to be rearrested for a sexual offense. Specifically, 30.7 percent of the 5,331 probationers were rearrested for a nonsexual offense, which were mainly drug offenses, assault offenses, and traffic violations. Only 5.5 percent of the probationers were rearrested for a sexual offense, most likely sexual misconduct or abuse, rape, or sodomy. Other findings revealed that both criminal history and offender age were significant predictors of rearrest for both rapists and child molesters. Rapists who were young and had more extensive criminal histories were more likely to be rearrested for a nonsexual offense while child molesters who were young and had extensive criminal histories were more likely to be rearrested for sexual offenses. The results suggest that unlike rapists, who are generally motivated by violence, child molesters are motivated by the sexual components of the offense, making them more likely to commit future sexual offenses. The different patterns of rearrest for child molesters and rapists indicated that interventions and services for these populations should also be different and should target the known motivations of these offenders. Future research should focus on developing targeted intervention programs to specific types of sex offenders. Data were drawn from the New York State sex offender registry for 5,331 sexual offense probationers, which contained offender demographics, offense characteristics, and victim information for all registered sex offenders in the State. Data on criminal histories were drawn for all registered sex offenders from the New York State computerized criminal history database. Chi-square tests and logistic regression models were used to analyze the data. Tables, notes, references