ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the experiences of four women in the sample, two who did well following their release from prison and two who committed further offences. It describes some of the experiences and the factors which they feel helped them to stay offence free and which made things difficult for them. Jean was coming to the end of 10 years in prison following a serious violent offence. Toni was imprisoned for driving while disqualified and illegal use of drugs and she was about to be released on parole after six months of her sentence. Michelle was imprisoned for shoplifting for six months and this was her eighth sentence of imprisonment. Leah was 32 years old and said that she had completed her final year of secondary school education and had many jobs prior to her imprisonment.
