Neighborhoods, Race, and Recidivism: The Community Reoffending Nexus and its Implications for African Americans

Sage Race Relations Abstracts, Vol. 32, pp. 7-37, 2007

31 Pages Posted: 26 Mar 2012

See all articles by Charis E. Kubrin

Charis E. Kubrin

University of California, Irvine

Gregory Squires

George Washington University - Department of Sociology

Eric Stewart

Florida State University

Date Written: 2007

Abstract

In this study we explore the impact of neighborhoods on criminals and of criminals on neighborhoods with respect to a current pressing problem — prisoner reentry. First, we review the key issues surrounding prisoner reentry in a “get tough on crime” era and describe the multiple challenges ex-offenders face upon release. We pay particular attention to the group affected most by these challenges — young Black males. Second, we examine trends in reoffending and link rising recidivism rates to current criminal justice policies and practices. Third, we determine how recidivism may be linked to the neighborhoods where prisoners return. Using data on a sample of ex-offenders in Multnomah County, Oregon in conjunction with Census data, we show how one critical community characteristic — neighborhood socioeconomic status — accounts for variation in the reoffending behavior of exprisoners that is not explained by their individual-level characteristics. Fourth, we consider whether the linkage between residence and recidivism may be conditioned by race. And finally, we discuss the policy implications by stressing the need to focus on communities as one part of a larger plan for reducing recidivism.

Keywords: neighborhoods, prisoner reentry, race, recidivism

Suggested Citation

Kubrin, Charis and Squires, Gregory D and Stewart, Eric, Neighborhoods, Race, and Recidivism: The Community Reoffending Nexus and its Implications for African Americans (2007). Sage Race Relations Abstracts, Vol. 32, pp. 7-37, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2028179

Charis Kubrin (Contact Author)

University of California, Irvine ( email )

Department of Criminiology, Law and Society
Social Ecology II, Rm 3379
Irvine, CA 62697-3125
United States

Gregory D Squires

George Washington University - Department of Sociology ( email )

United States

Eric Stewart

Florida State University ( email )

Tallahasse, FL 32306
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
1,259
Abstract Views
4,183
Rank
30,178
PlumX Metrics