Final Year Project

Project Title

From Cells to Society: The Dual Role of Social Capital and Post-Prison Networks in Reintegration and Recidivism in Pakistan

Description

This study examines the dual role of social capital in shaping post-release outcomes for former prisoners in urban Karachi. Using qualitative analysis of literature, reports, and experiential narratives, it finds that prison overcrowding and institutional failure push inmates to form high-trust criminal networks for survival. After release, the absence of identity documentation and legal pathways such as spent convictions creates a critical linking capital deficit, blocking entry into formal employment and reinforcing civic exclusion. Reintegration improves when bridging capital through NGOs, mentorship, and job referrals is available, but access remains highly unequal, favoring politically connected individuals and highlighting the need for policy reforms focused on institutional accountability and reintegration support.