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Women are one of the fastest growing sectors of the prison population, and have different pathways into prison and differing needs during the reentry process when compared to men (Cloyes et al. J Forensic Nurs; 6:3-14, 2010b; Herrschaft et al. J Offender Rehabil; 48:463-482, 2009). Women report higher levels of mental health problems overall, and report more severe symptomatology (Cloyes et al. J Forensic Nurs; 6:3-14, 2010a; Hyde 2012; Lynch et al. 2014). The current study focuses on the role of severe mental disorders for women released from prison. Data collected from the North Carolina Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice were used to analyze the specific role of severe mental disorders in women's recidivism at eight years post-release (n = 2311). Approximately 20% of women in this sample met the criteria for diagnosis with a severe mental disorder (SMD). Logistic regression analysis indicated that there was an association between SMDs and recidivism for this sample only (p = .11). Cox regression analyses indicated that women diagnosed with SMDs were 16% more likely to have recidivated at eight years post-release compared with women who were not diagnosed with an SMD (p < .05). Implications for the recognition, role, and treatment of SMDs during reentry are discussed.

Objective: Over 50% of released prisoners are reincarcerated within 3 years. Social support from loved ones postincarceration significantly reduces the likelihood of reincarceration. Increasingly, intervention developers aim to implement interventions that will enhance the stability of support available. This study responds to gaps in knowledge., Method: The current efficacy study reports findings from a randomized controlled trial (n = 57) of a social support intervention. A priori power analysis indicated moderate effect sizes could be detected. Participants were men, average age was 25 years, and over 90% were African American. Preliminary effects on social support, cognitions, substance use, and rearrest were assessed. Recruitment and consent occurred in prison; the intervention and 4 follow-ups occurred postrelease., Results: Findings converge with research indicating declines in social support (b = -.70, p < .05) and perceived quality of support (b = .05, p < .01) over time. Age showed inverse relationships with support (b = -1.77, p < .05). There were no statistically significant group effects for social support, cognitions, substance use (with the exception of marijuana), or recidivism. Clinical implications are discussed., Conclusion: This study advances research on intervention dosage, potency, and measurement considerations., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)