The Association of Geographic Congruence With Postrelease Substance Use and Reincarceration

Abstract

This research examined consistency in living in the same geographical area pre- and post-incarceration as a predictor of postrelease substance use and recidivism. Data from a 2018–2020 cohort of the Criminal Justice Kentucky Treatment Outcome Study ( n = 935) were analyzed. Rural–urban congruence compared the county an individual reported living in prior to incarceration to the county they reported living in at the time of their follow-up. Logistic regressions examined the relationship between postrelease reentry supports and rural–urban congruence with outcomes. Postrelease, 41% of individuals were urban–urban congruent, 43% rural–rural congruent, and 16% incongruent. No differences were found for postrelease substance use. Congruent individuals were more likely to be reincarcerated during follow-up. For rural-congruent individuals, this relationship was influenced by employment. Specifically, they were less likely to be employed postrelease, which increased risk of reincarceration. The current research suggests that postrelease employment challenges may be partially driving recidivism risk among rural-congruent individuals.