Date of Award

Spring 8-1-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Jennifer Schriver

Second Advisor

P. Kevin Bolinskey

Third Advisor

Peter Leavitt

Abstract

Within urban contexts, there has been progress in understanding recidivism through the lens of both individual criminogenic risk factors and ecological factors. However, little research has examined how these factors apply across different community sizes. The current study attempted to address this gap by examining how recidivism differs across different-sized communities at the county level, measured both dichotomously (metro, nonmetro) and across a rural-urban continuum. This study also explored the relationship between specific types of offenses and recidivism across different-sized communities. Archival data from Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) including 13,875 individuals released from prison within a five-year period was utilized, with an overall recidivism rate of 13.9%. Results found that size of community, measured continuously, was significantly associated with recidivism overall, in that those from smaller communities were more likely to recidivate. Further, size of community was found to moderate the relationship between risk score and recidivism; for low and moderate risk individuals, smaller county sizes were associated with greater recidivism. County size did not appear to moderate the relationship between having a history of drug-related offending and recidivism. However, it did moderate the relationship between having a history of sexual offending and recidivism, in that rurality increased likelihood of reoffending for this group. Results of this study suggest that location may impact recidivism, and rurality appears to increase recidivism risk for specific groups. Further, the study suggests that continuum-based measurement of county size may be more sensitive to ecological differences. Future research should continue to examine the unique contributors to recidivism risk in rural settings.

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