Project Summary:
This study examines a population of lifers sentenced for offenses they committed in their adolescence (younger than 18). It is comparative in its focus on distinctions between those who have been successfully paroled and those who were repeatedly rejected for parole or returned to prison for violating the conditions of their release. The primary goal of this research is to understand how young offenders subject to long-term prison can be successfully paroled.
Project Description:
The research team hypothesizes that adolescent developmental challenges surrounding autonomy and social skills are exacerbated by long-term imprisonment. It is also hypothesized that the likelihood of being successfully paroled is related to cumulative disadvantage, social support, and relational capacities.
The research team will be performing quantitative survey interviews, sampling from a population of about 60 incarcerated juvenile lifers. The research team will also conduct qualitative interviews with juvenile lifers to understand their life course, relationships, and challenges upon subsequent release.
