%0 Journal Article
%T Prisoners¡¯ Personal Networks in the Months Preceding Prison: A Descriptive Portrayal
%A James Sutton
%A Paul E. Bellair
%A Ryan Light
%J International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology
%@ 1552-6933
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/0306624X18799575
%X This study examined personal networks of adult male prisoners (N = 250) during a high-risk period prior to their incarceration. We present a descriptive portrait of network size, density, and relational type, and we then document the nature of ties within that network, focusing specifically on alters¡¯ criminal involvement, criminal opportunity, and reinforcement of criminal behavior. We found that prisoners¡¯ networks were large and dense, and that they were composed primarily of family and romantic partners. Most prisoners are not embedded in a personal network saturated with criminal influence before coming to prison. Yet, a small proportion are exposed to exceptionally negative influence, which, it is argued, may increase the risk of negative outcomes upon release if not addressed by evidence-based programs
%K personal networks
%K social support
%K prisoners
%K criminal associates
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0306624X18799575