Changes in the social networks of prisoners: A comparison of their networks before and after imprisonment

This study examines the social networks of prisoners in the period from before to after their incarceration. We use unique panel data on 702 prisoners and their core discussion networks. Our results show that while the size of prisoners’ core discussion network is stable, prisoners have replaced 60% of their core discussion network members after incarceration. Moreover, multinomial multilevel models indicate that changes in the core discussion network are most likely to occur for prisoners who have served a longer prison spell, who did not return to the same place of residence, who had fewer strong relationships, fewer family relationships prior to incarceration, and who were suspected of involvement in a violent or sexual offence. This chapter was submitted as: De Cuyper, R., Mollenhorst, G., Völker, B., Dirkzwager, A., Van der Laan, P., & Nieuwbeerta, P. (revise and resubmit). Changes in the social networks of prisoners: A comparison of their networks before and after imprisonment.