Victimization to Incarceration: Is Abuse A Predictor for Incarceration Among Mothers?

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a possible association between abuse and later incarceration among mothers using longitudinal data provided by the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. With mass incarceration as an issue that is beginning to affect populations outside of the Black American male community, it is important to evaluate the mechanisms and social factors that may be responsible for the growing prison rate in the United States. By evaluating past qualitative and quantitative studies pertaining to this subject, I establish a framework from which to build a possible explanation for women’s growing prison numbers as a result of abuse and subsequent “pathways” to crime and delinquency. From here, I evaluate the longitudinal data to strengthen the argument for abuse as a predictor. The longitudinal data does indicate a strong positive correlation between abuse and later imprisonment. Factors such as poverty, lack of education, and age are shown to have a significant effect on the link between victimization and later imprisonment. As a result of these finding I propose policy measure that would include increased resources for marginalized women and favoring rehabilitation and counseling over sentencing among women who commit crimes.