Sociological analysis of prison re-entry with an emphasis on labeling theory

This article aims to analyze the importance of labeling, structural, rational choice and control theories to predict part and partially the re-prison rate. The method is survey and respondents involved the prisoners of at least two record of accusation. Sample size amounts 340 prisoners including 98 female and 242 male who were selected by using stratified, systematic and random strategies from the list. Data was gathered by researcher made and administered questionnaire. Results indicated that the most important factors in predicting re-prison rate related to the following theories respectively: labeling, rational choice, structural (objective dimension, i.e. social status, kind of crime), structural (subjective dimension, i.e. social and economic satisfaction and sense of discrimination) and control theories. Also, results showed that above theories altogether improved the prediction coefficient. The results are analyzed sociologically. It was concluded that less importance of structural (subjective dimension) and control theories may be related to the similar situations of prisoners in these respects, since the sample included all recorded prisoners. Also, it was concluded that society is responsible for prison re-entry in social structure as well as social interaction with released prisoners to be reconsidered.