Finding Their Way: Conditions for Successful Reintegration Among Women Offenders

Abstract

The transition from prison to community is challenging for women. Herein we propose a framework of reintegration readiness from women's experiences of community re-entry after a prison stay. In qualitative interviews with 31 women who spent time in Canadian federal prisons, they described the time immediately following their release, specifically person-specific and context-specific factors that allowed them to successfully adapt to society. Addictions and unresolved trauma were barriers to reintegration success. In their transition from prison to the community, it is important to address these person- and context-specific conditions as well as trauma and addictions to improve reintegration readiness.