Margaret E. Leigey

A Woman's Life Before Serving Life: Examining the Negative Pre-Incarceration Life Events of Female Life-Sentenced Inmates

Despite the increase in the number of females incarcerated, there is a paucity of research concerning female life-sentenced inmates in the United States. Using a nationally representative data set containing the largest known sample of this population, the present research examines the pre-incarceration traumatic experiences of female life-sentenced inmates. The results indicate that these women are more likely to experience traumatic events, in particular abuse, than either male life-sentenced inmates or female inmates in general. Logistic regression analyses reveal a significant association between abuse and a life sentence in both gender-specific models.

For the Longest Time: The Adjustment of Inmates to a Sentence of Life Without Parole

Using a triangulated research design, this research examines the mental health of life without parole (LWOP) inmates. A bivariate analysis of the mental health of two groups of LWOP inmates was conducted, new (n = 72) and veteran (n = 46). New LWOP inmates were defined as those who had served less than the mean number of years of the sample (10.5 years) while veteran LWOP inmates had served greater than the mean time served. Results indicate that the initial stages of incarceration are particularly stressful as a higher prevalence of new LWOP inmates reported mental health disorder than veteran LWOP inmates. Significant differences exist between the two groups in several areas. In-depth interviews with veteran LWOP inmates (n = 25) are further indicative of an inverse relationship between mental disorder and length of incarceration.

Gray Matters: Gender Differences in the Physical and Mental Health of Older Inmates

Although there has been a substantial increase in the number of older female inmates incarcerated in the United States, there has been little scholarly attention paid to this population. The purpose of this study is to extend the current understanding of older inmates by examining gender differences in their physical and mental health. Bivariate analyses of one of the largest known samples of older female inmates (n = 142) revealed significant gender differences. Older female inmates reported a greater number of physical health conditions and mental health disorders in all three time periods: in their lifetimes, since admission to prison, and in the previous year. This research informs the need for gender-specific health programming for older female inmates.

The Pains of Permanent Imprisonment Examining Perceptions of Confinement Among Older Life Without Parole Inmates

Previous research has found commonality in the pains of imprisonment reported by English and American long-term inmates. Using a triangulated research methodology, this study examined the hardships associated with permanent incarceration as reported by 18 older male inmates serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Strong agreement existed between the present sample and previous samples as to the most and least difficult aspects of imprisonment. Consistent with the previous studies, outside problems were perceived as being more severe than inside problems. Overall, this study found agreement in the pains of long-term imprisonment, regardless of the exact length or type of sentence.

The Influence of Crack Cocaine on the Likelihood of Incarceration for a Violent Offense: An Examination of a Prison Sample

One of the most heated debates surrounding the 1988 Anti-Drug Abuse Act has been about the “100 to 1” quantity ratio used for sentencing traffickers of the crack version of cocaine as compared to powder. This disparity primarily was based on the notion that crack cocaine users were more likely to engage in violence compared to their powder using counterparts (Everett, 1998; Sandy, 2003). However, there is still a paucity of empirical research that has examined the relationship between powder versus crack cocaine and violence. The purpose of this research was to investigate the following question: Do inmates who were under the influence of crack cocaine at the time of their offenses have a greater probability of being incarcerated for violent offenses compared to those offenders who were under the influence of powder cocaine? Clearly, the answer to this question is extremely relevant to policy regarding the 100 to 1 disparity in sentencing for crack offenders as mandated by the Act. Using race-specific models of logistic regression, results from this research found that respondents who were under the influence of either crack or powder cocaine were less likely to be incarcerated for a violent offense than respondents who were under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, the probabilities of serving time for a violent offense were approximately equal for individuals who were under the influence of crack cocaine compared to those who were under the influence of powder cocaine. However, the probability of serving time for a violent offense was approximately two times higher if the respondent was under the influence of alcohol compared to either crack or powder cocaine. This was true for both white and African-Americans offenders.

And Then They Behaved Examining the Institutional Misconduct of Adult Inmates Who Were Incarcerated as Juveniles

Research indicates that juveniles in adult prisons are more disruptive than adults. This study extends current understanding by examining their misconduct after they reach adulthood. Bivariate analyses revealed that adults initially incarcerated as juveniles (n = 173) were significantly more likely than adults initially incarcerated as adults (n = 10,950) to have committed all types of misconduct. However, these findings were largely unconfirmed at the multivariate level. A significant difference existed between the two groups in only one regression model. Findings suggest that in regard to the nature of misconduct, inmates who were initially incarcerated as juveniles become indistinguishable over time from other inmates.

The Case for Human Agency, Well-Being, and Community Reintegration for People Aging in Prison: A Statewide Case Analysis

This study profiled 2,913 adults aged 50 and older sentenced to a statewide correctional system and their parole eligibility status with implications for community reintegration, resettlement, and recovery needs. The research team developed the Correctional Tracking Data Extraction Tool to gather official data and personal and legal characteristics from a state department of corrections website. The majority of older prisoners were men from racial/ethnic minorities between the ages of 50 and 59 with a range of minor to serious offenses. Time served in prison ranged from 1 month to 45 years; more than 40% were eligible for parole within 5 years. These findings underscore the need for an intervention that can address the differing typologies and individual-level and systemic issues that gave rise to the aging prisoner population. Promising practices that address elements of a conceptual model in prison and community reintegration and recovery for older adult prisoners are reviewed.