Self-Esteem, Incarceration and Recidivism

Changes in self-esteem during incarceration and self-esteem measured shortly after entry to prison and prior to release were predictive of recidivism two years after release. Results confirmed the assumption that the assessment and treatment of self-esteem in correctional settings is important because the variable is related to postprison adjustment. Self-esteem measured prior to release was the best predictor of recidivism. The multiple regression R was .63. The discriminant function analysis found a classification hit rate for recidivism of 82.4%. The results provided several suggestions for correctional clinicians concerned with the diagnosis of self-esteem, particularly in relation to recidivism. In addition, the potency of self-esteem as a predictor of recidivism was discussed.