Physical and mental health upon reentry: The importance of social contact in prison for wellbeing during reintegration.

In-person visitation during incarceration was positively associated with better physical health following release.

• Odds ratio = 1.61; 95% Confidence Interval = [1.05, 2.47]
• The study used ordered logistic regression models to assess this relationship
• The sample consisted of 475 men incarcerated in Texas prisons interviewed prior to release and again one month into the reentry period
• Social contact was measured in the last six months before prison release

Family member visits specifically were positively associated with better self-reported physical health post-release.

• Odds ratio = 1.88; 95% Confidence Interval = [1.28, 2.75]
• This effect was specific to family members and was not observed for visits from friends, gang members, or anyone else
• Physical health was assessed approximately four weeks post-release
• The four visitor groups examined were family members, friends, gang associates, and anyone else

Family member visits were positively associated with better self-reported mental health post-release.

• Odds ratio = 1.64; 95% Confidence Interval = [1.14, 2.37]
• Visits from friends, gang members, or anyone else were not significantly associated with mental health outcomes
• Mental health was assessed approximately four weeks post-release
• This finding highlights the unique role of familial relationships in promoting wellbeing during reentry

Phone calls and written correspondence (mail) during incarceration were examined as social contact types but were not highlighted as significant predictors of post-release health outcomes.

• Three types of social contact were assessed: in-person visitation, sending/receiving mail, and making/receiving phone calls
• The significant findings were mostly consistent with the study's hypotheses
• In-person visitation emerged as the contact type most clearly associated with post-release health outcomes
• The study used ordered logistic regression models for all social contact types

The study sample consisted of 475 men incarcerated in Texas prisons who were interviewed before release and again approximately one month into the reentry period.

• Participants were interviewed prior to release and again one month into the reentry period
• The post-release interview occurred approximately four weeks after release
• The study focused exclusively on men
• The sample was drawn from Texas prisons