"The Ex-Prisoner's Dilemma is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the topic of women in reentry. The respondents’ words are compelling and illustrative; Leverentz clearly did a beautiful job with her study."
Venezia Michalsen
Montclair State University
"If there was ever any doubt, The Ex-Prisoner's Dilemma proves that the Chicago School is not just alive, but kicking. Probably ... Read morethe best existing example of longitudinal narrative research, Leverentz’s study is a tour de force."
Shadd Maruna
author of Making Good: How Ex-Convicts Reform and Rebuild Their Lives
"Leverentz provides a comprehensive overview of how a sample of women leaving prison negotiates a world of competing messages regarding parenting, recovery from substance use, family dynamics, education, and employment. Using qualitative research methods, the author analyzes 49 previously incarcerated women to provide much-needed insight into the processes in which they navigate reentry to the community after serving prison terms. Practitioners will take away valuable insights for rehabilitation and prevention of recidivism. Scholars in numerous disciplines will find this text a delightful addition to collections in criminal justice, social sciences, research methods, and counseling. Highly recommended."
Choice
"[Leverentz] provides a nuanced description of the lived experiences of women returning home from prison.The book makes it clear that the reentry process is far from linear and that social relationships, treatment, and social identity cannot be considered absent of the context of which it occurs. This book is beautifully crafted, making it an important read for students, scholars, and policy makers alike."
American Journal of Sociology
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