Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Barbara Palomino de Velasco

Abstract

High rates of incarceration among female inmates as well as high rates of recidivism characterize the U.S. justice system. Though some research has been conducted on gendered differences between prisoners, a gap existed in the application of criminal thinking theory for female offenders following their release. The purpose of this quantitative research study was to analyze the relationship between criminal thinking, age, psychological well-being, and recidivism among recently released female violent offenders in the region of Central Texas through the use of Yochelsen and Samenow’s criminal thinking theory. The sample for this study consisted of N = 98 female participants in the study of which 70 were ex-offenders and 28 were not ex-offenders. Participants completed the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking, the measure of Psychological Well-Being, and a short demographic survey. The results of this study found a significant association between age and offender type as well as a significant association between education and likelihood of offending, with less educated participants being more likely to commit the crime. Results also found a negative relationship between mental health well-being and likelihood to become an offender. The higher the educational level of individuals, the less likely they were to commit crimes. In efforts to promote positive social change, prison stakeholders should work towards salvaging their institutions and minimize the perpetuation of crime in a setting designed to eliminate crime. The importance of reengineering the prison system could potentially result in positive social change as it would make it more useful for offenders and society as a whole.

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