The Social and Spatial Mismatch of Women Returning From Jail Contexts: An Intersectional Mixed-Methods Analysis

• Published in: Race and justice 2024-07
• Main Author: Roddy, Ariel L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2153-3687; 2153-3687
• DOI: 10.1177/21533687241264766

Seminal work on spatial mismatch has shown that geographic isolation from job-rich areas resulted in unemployment for low-income women of color. Though social capital is a critical component of the job search for justice-involved individuals, justice-involved women of color may have unique barriers to accessing social capital related to spatial mismatch. This concurrent mixed-methods study addresses the interconnections of race, economic opportunity, social capital, and employment for a sample of 56 women returning from jail contexts. Results reveal racialized differences in the mobilization of social capital to address the spatial mismatch problem, identifying a source of inequity for women of color leaving carceral settings. Plain Language Summary Title Exploring the effects of social connections and economic opportunities on Black and multiracial women returning from jail Plain Language Summary Living far from areas with job opportunities can make it harder to find work, especially for low-income women with a criminal history. This research examines the difficulties faced by women of color re-entering society after being in jail. Specifically, this study looks at how social connections, or social capital, play a role in helping women find jobs after being in jail. For Black and multiracial women, there are unique challenges related to where they live, which can make it even tougher to access these social connections. Using a combination of surveys and interviews with 56 women who had recently been in jail, results show that there are racial differences in how women of color use social connections to overcome the challenges of living in areas with fewer job opportunities. The findings of this study point to an important source of inequality for women of color leaving the justice system.