Abuse as a Form of Strain Among Native American and White Female Prisoners: Predictors of Substance-Related Offenses and Recidivism

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between strain, substance-related criminal activity, and recidivism within a group of White and Native American female prisoners in a midwestern state. The research findings provide support for one of the primary sources of individual-level strain posed by Agnew's general strain theory, as adult abuse, a measure of the presentation of noxious stimuli, was a significant predictor for the commission of an illicit drug–related offense that resulted in an inmate's current incarceration and accelerated time to recidivism upon prison release. Parameters associated with the current study and suggestions for future policy, program, and research considerations are discussed.

KEYTERMS:

• General strain theory
• abuse
• Native American
• female prisoners
• prisoner reentry

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Dr. Thomas McDonald, Dr. Kathleen Bergseth, and Dr. Katie Jens for their work on this research project.