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Social Adversities in First-Time and Repeat Prisoners

Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo, Norway, ellen.kjelsberg{at}kompetanse-senteret.no

Christine Friestad

Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

Aims: To explore possible systematic differences between prison inmates serving their first sentence and inmates having experienced previous incarcerations. It is hoped that a better knowledge of these issues will make us better equipped to meet the rehabilitation needs of our prisoners and decrease their risk of reoffending and reincarceration.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study a randomly selected and nationally representative sample of 260 Norwegian prisoners, 100 serving their first sentence and 160 recidivists, was interviewed with special focus on childhood circumstances, education, work experience, and present social and economic situation. In addition their criminal records were collected from the National Crime Registry.

Results: In males multivariate analyses identified a number of variables independently and significantly associated with being a repeat offender. The odds for reincarceration increased significantly if the person fulfilled any one of the following criteria: having experienced the incarceration of a family member during childhood (OR = 3.6); having experienced childcare interventions during childhood (OR = 3.2); current drug abuse (OR = 2.6); current housing problems (OR = 2.3). In females only one strong correlation emerged: if the person had current drug problems the odds for being a recidivist increased substantially (OR = 10.9).

Conclusions: While criminal reoffending and reincarceration seemed to be primarily associated with drug abuse in females, the childhood problems of male repeat offenders, compared with males serving their first sentence, indicate that these individuals' current multiple social and economic disadvantages were complex in origin and of long standing. Interventions aimed at preventing reoffending must take into account the gender differences demonstrated. Aiming at primary prevention, the negative effects associated with parental incarceration are crucial: how can one prevent the perpetuation of these problems from one generation to the next?

Key Words: forensic psychiatry • crime prevention • reoffending • reincarceration • prediction

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 54, No. 6, 514-526 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0020764008091406


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