Contemporary Patterns in the Impact of Mass Incarceration on Racial and Educational Differences in Union Formation

Jerrett Jones, University of Wisconsin-Madison

In response to contemporary mass incarceration, academic literature has examined the impact not only for individuals, but for their families and communities as well. Despite increasing attention to the loved ones around incarcerated men, few studies consider the implications of incarceration for union formation. This study uses three longitudinal data sources and life table techniques to estimate the cumulative probability that a woman with either marry or cohabitate with an incarcerated man. Results will show how incarceration contributes to prior inequality for disadvantaged groups.