Examining the Link Between Perceptions of Relationship Quality With Parole Officers and Recidivism Among Female Youth Parolees

• Author: Jennifer Woolard,Sarah Vidal,N. Dickon Reppucci,Barbara A. Oudekerk
• DOI: 10.1177/1541204013507959
• Published date: 01 January 2015
• Date: 01 January 2015
• Subject Matter: Articles

Article

Examining the Link Between

Perceptions of Relationship

Quality With Parole Officers

and Recidivism Among

Female Youth Parolees

Sarah Vidal

1

, Barbara A. Oudekerk

2

, N. Dickon Reppucci

2

,

and Jennifer Woolard

1

Abstract

This study explored 140 female youth parolees’ characterization of their relationships with their

parole officers (PO), examined whether the quality of PO–youth relationships relate to recidivism,

and explored the role of parental assistance in acquiring services during reintegration as a mod-

erator of the link between PO–youth relationship and recidivism. Female youth perceived both an

interpersonal and professionalism aspect of PO–youth relationship. The association between the

interpersonal quality of PO–youth relationship and violent recidivism was strong and significant for

those who had low parental assistance, but nonsignificant for those with high parental assistance.

Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.

Keywords

female offending youth, youth parolees, parole, community reintegration

Following release from incarceration, a majority of youth are placed on parole supervision. Between

1989 and 2009, the rate of male youth adjudicated and confined to residential facilities decreased by

5%, compared to a 33%increase in rate among female youth (Sickmund, Sladky, & Kang, 2012).

1

Recognizing that the majority of literature on offending youth has focused on boys, many have

called for more research examining girls’ transition back into the community (Anthony et al.,

2010; Fields & Abrams, 2010). Like boys, female youth reentering their communities face a

multitude of challenges, including going back to school, finding employment, acquiring health ser-

vices and benefits, reestablishing personal and social relationships, and becoming productive and

1

Psychology Department, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA

2

Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

Corresponding Author:

Sarah Vidal, Psychology Department, Georgetown University, 306-K White Gravenor Building, 37th and P Streets NW,

Washington, DC 20057, USA.

Email: sjv6@georgetown.edu

Youth Violence and JuvenileJustice

2015, Vol. 13(1) 60-76

ªThe Author(s) 2013

Reprints and permission:

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DOI: 10.1177/1541204013507959

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prosocial members of the community—estimates suggest that between 56%to 81%of these girls are

rearrested shortly after their release (Colman, Kim, Mitchell-Herzfeld, & Shady, 2009; Giordano,

Cernkovich, & Lowery, 2004). These challenges are further amplified by the complex gender-

specific needs of female offending youth—they have high rates of mental health problems

(Cauffman, Lexcen, Shulman, Grisso, 2007) and many have been victims of abuse and neglect

(Kempf-Leonard & Johansson, 2007; Maschi, Schwalbe, Morgen, Gibson, & Violette, 2009; Zahn

et al., 2008).

Girls’ reentry into the community, thus, presents a complex and challenging circumstance for

parole officers (POs) to manage. The POs assigned to monitor their behavior and coordinate

reintegration services upon release are likely to play a vital role in enabling the youth’s successful

desistance from offending and reentry into the community. Yet, surprisingly very little research has

examined the ways in which parole officers might promote desistance from crime among offending

girls. Based on emerging research documenting that youth value relationships with correctional staff

(Marsh & Evans, 2009), and evidence suggesting that interpersonal relationships are particularly

important to girls’ well-being (Davis, Matthews, Twamley, 1999; Maccoby, 1990; Rosenberg &

Simmons, 1975), we sought to better understand the quality of the PO–Youth relationship as a

potential protective factor against recidivism.

The PO–Youth Relationship: Does It Matter for Recidivism?

POs have a broad range of duties that give them the opportunity to practice both care and control. As

law enforcement officials, they have the legal duty to monitor and report youth’s progress and

compliance to parole mandates in order to promote community protection (Klockars, 1972; Skeem

& Manchak, 2008). POs also assume the role of therapeutic agents and advocates by facilitating

rehabilitation efforts in order to promote the well-being of offending youth (Klockars, 1972;

Matthews & Hubbard, 2008). For example, POs might help youth to find employment, assist with

enrollment in school or other training programs, and identify services to promote mental and phys-

ical health. While the length of parole supervision varies across different jurisdictions, typically, par-

ole officers are assigned to supervise a youth for approximately 10 to 15 months (Virginia

Department of Juvenile Justice, 2013). Given the extensive roles POs can play in youth’s reintegra-

tion into the community, POs have the capacity to develop and establish meaningful relationships

with their clients.

Interpersonal relationship qualities (i.e., trust, care, support) are one of the important components

of effective correctional practices (Andrews & Kiessling, 1980). Indeed, preliminary research sug-

gests that the quality of relationships offending youth have with correctional workers can be related

to youths’ perceptions of how likely they are to succeed post incarceration. Among 384 boys and

girls (29%female) incarcerated in long-term secure facilities, relationships with staff characterized

by high levels of satisfaction (trust and positive affect), use of problem-solving strategies, and

degree of closeness were positively associated with youth’s perceptions of their likelihood of avoid-

ing delinquent and antisocial behaviors and engaging in prosocial activities after release (Marsh &

Evans, 2009). These findings are consistent with research from fields of clinical and counseling

psychology and social work showing that positive interpersonal relationships between clients and

counselors can maximize the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention for clients (Andrews &

Kiessling, 1980; Dowden & Andrews, 2004; Skeem, Eno Louden, Polaschek, & Camp, 2007). Nota-

bly, however, perceptions of how likely one is to succeed might not align with actual postrelease

behavior, and no research to our knowledge has examined whether a positive relationship with

supervising staff, that is, parole officers, is linked to recidivism or desistance from crime after youth

reenter the community.

Vidal et al. 61