This study explores the pivotal role of social support networks in shaping the post-prison lives of individuals, focusing on how different types of support—emotional, instrumental, and informational—affect their reintegration into society. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research includes surveys, interviews, and observational data from 150 recently released prisoners across two rehabilitation programs. The findings reveal that strong social support networks significantly reduce recidivism, enhance mental health, and improve family relationships and employment prospects. Emotional support, particularly from family and close friends, was found to be the most influential, while instrumental support (such as housing and job assistance) is crucial but less consistently available. Conversely, individuals with limited support or negative relationships faced greater difficulties reintegrating, often resulting in recidivism. The study highlights the need for comprehensive reintegration programs that not only provide practical resources but also foster healthy social connections. The research provides recommendations for policymakers and rehabilitation programs to strengthen social support structures for former prisoners, thereby improving their post-prison outcomes and reducing the likelihood of reoffending.

Social Support Networks, Post-Prison Reintegration, Recidivism

Ajmal, M., & Arshad, M. (2024). Role of family and other social institutions for restoration, reintegration, and social support of ex-prisoners in Punjab, Pakistan. Remittances Review, 9(1), 1406–1422.

Arabyat, R. M., & Raisch, D. W. (2019). Relationships between social/emotional support and quality of life, depression, and disability in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: An analysis based on propensity score matching. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 53(10), 918–927.

Bellamy, C., Kimmel, J., Costa, M. N., Tsai, J., Nulton, L., Nulton, E., ... & O’Connell, M. (2019). Peer support on the “inside and outside”: Building lives and reducing recidivism for people with mental illness returning from jail. Journal of Public Mental Health, 18(3), 188–198.

Berghuis, M. (2018). Reentry programs for adult male offender recidivism and reintegration: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 62(14), 4655–4676.

Brehmer, C. E., Qin, S., Young, B. C., & Strauser, D. R. (2024). Self‐stigma of incarceration and its impact on health and community integration. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 34(1), 79-93.

Boles, W., Tatum, T., Wall, J., Nguyen, L., Van Dall, A., Mulhollem, C., ... & Niyogi, A. (2022). Us helping us: The evolution of a peer support group for formerly incarcerated people. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 920640.

Bowman, S. W., & Travis, R. (2012). Prisoner reentry and recidivism according to the formerly incarcerated and reentry service providers: A verbal behavior approach. The Behavior Analyst Today, 13(1), 9–19.

Brown, K. E. (2024). Investigating key elements of peer support programs focused on recovery and reentry in community-based organizations: A qualitative implementation science study (Doctoral dissertation, The Medical College of Wisconsin).

Butler, L., & Taylor, E. (2022). A second chance: The impact of unsuccessful reentry and the need for reintegration resources in communities. COPS Office. https://cops.usdoj.gov/html/dispatch/04-2022/reintegration_resources.html

Burt, L. R. (2018). African American male ex-offenders' perceptions of a reentry program's impact on recidivating (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).

Byers, T. (2020). The Impact of Caregiver Trauma on FBMHS: The Relationship between Caregiver Adversity and Eco-Systemic Structural Family Therapy Child Client Outcome. Shippensburg University.

Co, J. C., Estel, J. D., Portes, P. J., & Rondina, G. B. (2016). Bachelor of Science in Psychology. University Press.

Christian, J. (2022). The promise and challenge of local initiatives that support reentry and reintegration. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 701(1), 191-203.

Chouhy, C., Cullen, F. T., & Lee, H. (2020). A social support theory of desistance. Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology, 6, 204-223.

Devia, L. (2024). Transitioning identities: A comparative study of the social transition to civilian life of former armed group members reintegrating into Colombian society (2002-2018) from a social identity perspective (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pittsburgh).

Doleac, J. L. (2018). Strategies to productively reincorporate the formerly-incarcerated into communities: a review of the literature. Available at SSRN 3198112.

Fahmy, C., & Wallace, D. (2019). The influence of familial social support on physical health during reentry. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 46(12), 1738-1756.

Gaines, A. C., Hardy, B., & Schweitzer, J. (2021, September 22). How weak safety net policies exacerbate regional and racial inequality. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/weak-safety-net-policies-exacerbate-regional-racial-inequality/

Gilchrist, L., Jamieson, S. K., Zeki, R., Ward, S., Chang, S., & Sullivan, E. (2022). Understanding health and social service accessibility for young people with problematic substance use exiting prison in Australia. Health & Social Care in the Community, 30(6), e4735-e4744.

Goodstein, J. D. (2019). Employers and the reintegration of formerly incarcerated persons. Journal of Management Inquiry, 28(4), 426-430.

Hall, S. (2023). Global lessons learned on sustainable reintegration in rural areas. Food & Agriculture Organization.

Halushka, J. M. (2020). The runaround: Punishment, welfare, and poverty survival after prison. Social Problems, 67(2), 233-250.

Hector, J., Khey, D., Hector, J., & Khey, D. (2018). Release and Reentry. Criminal Justice and Mental Health: An Overview for Students, 163-187.

Hinck, A. R., Hinck, S. S., Smith, J. D., & Withers, D. S. (2019). Friends as a social support network for prisoners reentering society. Journal of Communication, 69, 33-48.

Hyde, J., Byrne, T., Petrakis, B. A., Yakovchenko, V., Kim, B., Fincke, G., ... & McInnes, D. K. (2022). Enhancing community integration after incarceration: Findings from a prospective study of an intensive peer support intervention for veterans with an historical comparison group. Health & Justice, 10(1), 33.

Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation. (2018). Life after jail: A forum on reintegrating former persons deprived of liberty back to the community. HLAF. http://hlaf.org.ph/life-after-jail-a-forum-on-reintegrating-former-persons-deprived-of-liberty-back-to-the-community/

Jolly, P. M., Kong, D. T., & Kim, K. Y. (2021). Social support at work: An integrative review. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 42(2), 229-251.

Keene, D. E., Rosenberg, A., Schlesinger, P., Guo, M., & Blankenship, K. M. (2018). Navigating limited and uncertain access to subsidized housing after prison. Housing Policy Debate, 28(2), 199-214.

Kiczkowski, U. H. (2011). Successful community reentry after incarceration: exploring intangible aspects of social support during the reintegration process. Columbia Social Work Review, 9(1), 73-85.