¿A quién dejamos atrás? Explorando los obstáculos de la progresión penitenciaria

Research in Criminology has shown that an early release from prison is one of the best mechanisms to achieve reintegration. However, data from the Spanish context reveal that a high percentage of people end their sentences directly from ordinary regime. This work proposes, with respect to the previous literature, that in addition to prison practice there are two elements that can help us to understand the obstacles for a progressive release: the experience of imprisonment and previous disadvantage. Data used comes from the project "Imprisonment and Recidivism" carried out by a research team of the Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona, based from a sample of 538 questionnaires of inmates in the final period of their sentences in prisons of Catalonia. Results indicate that exposure to strain during the sentence, lack of family and institutional support and previous disadvantage are factors that difficult a progressive release from prison.