From Future Orientation to Readiness for Reentry: An Exploratory Study of Prelease Cognitions of Incarcerated Men

Abstract

The literature suggests that individual characteristics of offenders are related to cognitive patterns before their release from prison. Empirical evidence shows that such cognitions can influence the extent to which offenders take an active role in rehabilitation. Given that many studies upon which these conclusions are made are dated, qualitative, or use bivariate analyses, it is unclear how salient, strong, and significant these associations are. Therefore, the aim of this exploratory study is to identify the factors that are associated with two prelease cognitions, future orientation and readiness for release, and to investigate whether future orientation is associated with greater involvement in structured activities. This study uses survey data collected from a sample of 503 people incarcerated in medium-security prisons in South Carolina in the United States. Ordered logistic regression models reveal that idleness, marital status, and drug dependence are associated with future orientation, while idleness, engagement in work and education, age, marital status, sentence phase, and mental health issues are related to readiness for release. Negative binomial regression shows that future orientation is associated with more extensive involvement in structured activities. Overall, the study concludes that while inmates are generally future-oriented, they are less confident that they are prepared for release from prison. The limitations of this study, including low scale reliabilities for key variables and a substantial amount of missing data, are also discussed.

Readiness for re-entry among pre-release prisoners in Sarawak, Malaysia

“…Similarly, findings obtained in the present research depicted that pre-release prisoners experienced sleep loss because of worry, felt constantly under strain and experienced stress while pondering their release. The research output aligns with many studies suggesting that the commitment to planning for release varies with the sentence’s phase (Carvalho et al , 2018; Doekhie, 2019; Vuk and Applegate, 2021). For example, Goger et al (2021) and Seim (2016) stated that pre-release prisoners made more specific plans regarding their release close to the end of their sentences, thereby increasing their stress levels.…”

“…Previous research shows that the period close to release carries higher levels of anxiety and stress, which is accompanied by irritability and restlessness among prisoners (Bouw et al , 2019; Cormier et al , 1967; Kruttschnitt et al , 2000; Vuk and Applegate, 2021). Similarly, findings obtained in the present research depicted that pre-release prisoners experienced sleep loss because of worry, felt constantly under strain and experienced stress while pondering their release.…”

“…Moreover, having a transition guideline or framework on readiness for re-entry that aligns with local communal needs is crucial, because there is a big difference between the highly structured prison environment and the relatively unstructured outside world. To bridge this gap, there is a dire need to understand the readiness for re-entry from the pre-release prisoners’ perspective, because theoretical discussion suggests that pre-release prisoners’ cognition and expectations regarding their release can influence the success of their re-entry process (Vuk and Applegate, 2021). Thus, in the context of this research, prisoners who are currently serving the final phase of their sentence (will be released within six to one year) were selected as the study sample to identify their readiness to re-enter society.…”

“…According to Vuk and Applegate (2021), the prisoner’s readiness for re-entry is one of the most crucial elements in penology studies. Prisoners who serve long sentences have a difficult time leaving jail and adjusting to the new life in society.…”