In the United States, incarcerated individuals are more likely to suffer from mental health problems, substance abuse issues, and lack of employment than those who are not incarcerated. When compared to males, female offenders in particular are more likely to report drug use, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and lack of social support which could further inhibit potential positive effects of educational and mental health programs within correctional facilities. Using intake data collected from the National Institute on Drug Abuse's Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJ-DATS) RRR-HIV study, the current study explores the level of social and financial support experienced by incarcerated females and the association of these two factors with the individual's likelihood to recidivate, or reoffend upon release. The study revealed that, like past research, education is negatively associated with recidivism. Additionally, women who were financially independent were also less likely to recidivate. This study discusses future recommendations for individual, interpersonal, and community level approaches to combat high female recidivism rates within the US prison system.
