Exploring the relationship between cumulative trauma and recidivism among older adults: Does race and offense history matter?

Abstract

There is a dearth of knowledge on the role of cumulative trauma, stress, and minority oppression on recidivism among incarcerated elder population. The current study fills a gap in the literature by exploring the association between race, trauma, offense history, and recidivism among incarcerated elders. This study used a cross-sectional correlational design with 607 adult males aged 50 and older in a Northeastern state correctional system. Results of a series of moderation analyses revealed that drug offense history had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between trauma and recidivism. However, minority status or violent offense history was not found to be a significant moderator of the trauma and recidivism relationship. These findings suggest prevention and intervention efforts would benefit from incorporating trauma-informed approaches and principles of restorative justice that facilitate individual, family, and community healing.

Examining the Contribution of Responsivity Factors to the Dynamic Risk Assessment for Offender Re-entry

“…The goal of study 1 was to broadly explore the relationship between trauma, DRAOR scores, and recidivism. Consistent with previous research (Maschi et al, 2018;Barrett et al, 2014), trauma was a positive predictor of recidivism, wherein higher rates of trauma problems were associated with higher odds of recidivism. Consistent with hypotheses, justice-involved persons who were higher in trauma problems had higher total DRAOR scores.…”

“…Though limited research has specifically looked at the effect of traumatic experiences on recidivism, initial results have been found suggesting a link between the two. Looking broadly at any objective or subjective trauma experience, both were positive and significant predictors of self-reported recidivism for justice-involved persons with violent offense histories, justice-involved persons with drug offense histories, and justice-involved persons who are minorities (Maschi et al, 2018). For all groups, recidivism was predicted by a greater number of traumatic experiences and a greater reported impact as a result of these experiences (Maschi et al, 2018).…”

“…Traumatic experiences tend to be more extreme with stronger potential for actual physical or psychological harm to either the individual in question or someone close to them (e.g., physical or sexual assault, witnessing a shooting). Stressful life experiences tend to be less extreme although these more common experiences are still distressing and taxing (e.g., divorce, job loss; Maschi et al, 2018). Though traumatic experiences are more likely to lead to PTSD, both traumatic experiences and stressful life experiences are linked to criminal behaviour (Maschi et al, 2018;Maschi et al, 2015;Maschi et al, 2011;Maschi, 2006;).…”

The Sanctuary Model: A Trauma-Responsive Environmental Model for Secure Residential Facilities Within the Juvenile Justice System

“…The original Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study established a strong doseresponse relationship between various forms of trauma and several adverse health and social outcomes (Anda et al, 2020;Felitti et al, 1998). Indeed, exposure to trauma is widely considered a critical factor in partially explaining the onset and maintenance of youth aggression (Barkauskienė et al, 2019;Baron & Forde, 2020;Braga et al, 2017;Maschi et al, 2018;van der Zouwen et al, 2018;Vitopoulos et al, 2019). Early trauma exposure is also associated with increased involvement in child welfare and juvenile justice systems (Garland et al, 2001).…”

“…In addition to having become a critical public health concern (Krug et al, 2002), youth violence costs the United States over $14 billion annually, including the cost to confine juveniles in secure facilities (Abinader et al, 2019). Furthermore, incarceration directly increases the likelihood that youth may exhibit future aggression and re-offend (Maschi et al, 2018). With research indicating that the populations confined within secure facilities show an extensive history of trauma exposure (Bloom, 2013a;Ko et al, 2008), addressing the impact of trauma is a necessary response to the public health concern of youth offending and incarceration.…”