Is Positive Social Support Available to Re-Entering Prisoners? It Depends on Who You Ask

Abstract

Re-entering prisoners have complex needs. Growing attention has turned to the role of informal social support in successful post-release outcomes. Research indicates informal supports are available to re-entering prisoners, yet this support can be experienced negatively and contribute to poor outcomes. We examined anticipated and received quality, source, and types of support for re-entering prisoners from perspectives of 60 re-entering prisoners and corrections professionals. We found re-entering prisoners anticipated and received what they considered positive support. Alternatively, corrections professionals perceived limited positive support as available and instead reported negative support as more likely. Corrections professionals also questioned whether re-entering prisoners' accurately differentiate positive and negative support. Results indicate key practice implications.