‘Fall from grace’ and the stigma of reentry into society

People convicted of federal white-collar crimes come from different social and demographic backgrounds compared to those convicted of other offenses. Typically older and from the middle class, white-collar offenders face unique challenges during reentry into society. Yet, research on how social class influences their reintegration remains scarce.

A study by Florida Atlantic University, in collaboration with the University of Cincinnati, explores these challenges, focusing on how stigma, social background and emotional factors impact white-collar offenders as they transition into society after prison. The study also examines how modern technology, including social media, intensifies the stigma of imprisonment.

Using qualitative data from formerly incarcerated individuals, including both white-collar and non-white-collar offenders, researchers examined if white-collar offenders experience reentry differently, displaying either resilience or sensitivity. The resiliency hypothesis suggests they reintegrate easily due to their social status and skills, while the sensitivity hypothesis suggests they are more vulnerable to emotional distress and stigma from public shaming.

Results of the study, published in the journal Justice Quarterly, show that white-collar offenders typically had an easier time securing employment and stable housing compared to their non-white-collar counterparts, due to stronger social support networks and personal resources. However, they faced significant anxiety and fear about social stigma, particularly the fear of being publicly exposed or “Googled,” and sought mental health support to cope with these challenges. Middle-class status appears to make these individuals more vulnerable to public shaming.

In contrast, non-white-collar offenders struggled more with basic needs like employment and housing and did not express concerns about social stigma to the same degree. Findings suggest that the reentry challenges white-collar offenders face are shaped by both their social class and societal reactions, extending the differences between white-collar and non-white-collar offenders beyond incarceration and into their post-release lives.

“White-collar incarceration rates have changed dramatically since the passage of the United States Sentencing Guidelines in 1984. More white-collar offenders are serving prison sentences and returning to a society vastly different from the 1980s,” said Diana Sun, Ph.D., senior author and an assistant professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice within the FAU College of Social Work and Criminal Justice.

“The rise of Google and social media has fundamentally changed how reputations are formed and destroyed, impacting the experiences of white-collar offenders in ways that the special sensitivity and resiliency hypotheses don’t fully capture.”

While most white-collar offenders reported positive relationships post-release, some did experience strained family dynamics or the loss of social connections after their release. Despite their successes, white-collar offenders often struggle with intense stigma, leading to anxiety and fear, particularly in new social situations such as job searches and dating. This sensitivity was especially pronounced among male African American white-collar offenders, who felt unfairly judged because of their “Black man in prison” status.

The white-collar participants were highly aware of their “ex-con” status and concerned about other people’s perceptions. The non-white-collar sample were not as concerned. Instead, they had different priorities that focused on staying away from “bad habits,” finding employment and avoiding detrimental relationships, with less concern about social stigma or online scrutiny.

Upon release, white-collar participants often used personal resources like family, friends and community connections to help with their reintegration. The types of jobs they were able to get after incarceration remained in the middle class. By comparison, the non-white-collar sample tended to have some difficulty in the job market and worked in “lower status” jobs. Some of them relied more heavily on the halfway house to help with employment unlike the white-collar sample.

“Our study questions the clear divide between ‘special sensitivity’ and ‘special resiliency’ in reentry, showing that white-collar offenders experience both, depending on where they are in the process,” said Sun.

“Middle-class offenders face distinct challenges, particularly the loss of professional status and self-esteem. Our findings deepen the understanding of how social class influences reentry, especially as more middle-class individuals are incarcerated for crimes like fraud and deception, which mirror everyday behaviors.”

Study participants, which included women, were selected from a Midwest metropolitan area. White-collar crimes included fraud, embezzlement, tax fraud and credit fraud, and non-white-collar crimes included drug possession or robbery.

The study co-author is Michael L. Benson, Ph.D., professor emeritus and senior research associate, University of Cincinnati.