Mortality Among Individuals Released From U.S. Prisons: Does Military History Matter?

Abstract

The physiological effects of imprisonment are well-documented and include a heightened risk for various forms of mortality post-release. The incarceration-mortality nexus does not apply equally to all groups, however, and research shows that some demographics (i.e., vulnerable populations) experience a greater likelihood of death. In the current study, we analyze correctional data over a 10-year period (2010–2019; n = 36,716) from Minnesota to assess the extent to which formerly incarcerated military veterans differ from non-veterans in their relative risk of mortality, net of relevant control variables. We also examine whether specific risk factors for post-release mortality differ between these groups. Findings indicate that veteran status is not a significant predictor of all-cause, natural, or unnatural mortality among releasees, though several notable within-group differences were observed. Policy implications of the current study are discussed in relation to the provision of veteran-centric health care services and directions for future research are given.