title: Redefining boundaries: a grounded theory study of recidivism in women.
abstract: Incarceration rates for women in the United States are at least three times greater than those of any other nation (National Council on Crime and Delinquency, 2006). Recidivism, reoffense following prior conviction for a crime, compounds this problem, with nearly seven out of 10 convicted persons in the United States rearrested within 3 years of release (Hughes & Wilson, 2003). Our purpose in this article is to present a grounded theory of recidivism from the perspective of incarcerated women and to discuss the public health and other societal implications. While the participants in this research were U.S. women, we hope to provide a new perspective on the decision making of some women that results in recidivism, in order to initiate dialogue that could lead to more effective interventions worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, 500 N.W. California Avenue, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986, USA. jweiss21@fau.edu
authors.forename: Josie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Joellen W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: Carine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Despinos
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003417:Criminal Psychology; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010379:Peer Group; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012424:Rural Population; D012940:Social Problems / Q000523:psychology; D012941:Social Responsibility; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*