How Ex-Inmates Access Social and Human Capital: A Qualitative Study.

This project examines how ex-offenders use positive forms of social (Coleman 1988, Putnam 2000) and human capital (Coleman 1988), after release from incarceration. Ex-offenders face many obstacles that seriously limit their life-chances when returning to society (Petit and Western 2004). Such forms of capital are vital to improving the life-chances of male ex-offenders (Richards 2003, Richards 2004, Marbley and Ferguson 2005). Within this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews are administered to five male ex-inmates. Respondents cited education and twelve-step programs/recovery from substance abuse as important forms of human capital, and supportive family and friends as important forms of social capital. Interestingly, 12-step recovery programs were described by ex-inmates as both human and social capital. Only once the experiences of ex-inmates are understood, can ex-inmates gain access to the social and human capital necessary to truly and successfully reintegrate into society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]