Examining the connection between mental illness and recidivism for persons on parole

Mental illness (MI) is prevalent among people who are incarcerated and under community supervision. Despite this, the nature of the relationship between MI and recidivism is yet to be fully understood. Using an administrative dataset from the state of Georgia (n = 24,046), this study examined the extent to which individuals with MI on parole have a greater likelihood of rearrest – over a three-year period – than individuals without MI. Across the sample, increased assessed risk (OR = 1.14, 95 % CI [1.12–1.16]) and increased positive drug tests (OR = 1.64, 95 % CI [1.42–1.91]) predicted a greater likelihood of rearrest. Increased time employed reduced the likelihood of rearrest (OR = 0.39, 95 % CI [0.35–0.44]). MI was associated with increased odds of being rearrested (OR = 1.17, 95 % CI [1.07–1.27]). MI was also found to moderate the relationships between both substance use and employment with being rearrested.