Post-Prison Social Reintegration in Bangladesh: Institutional Scarcity, Relational Brokerage, and the Conversion of Social Resources

Abstract

Post-prison reintegration is a socially negotiated process in which legal release must be translated into livelihood, belonging, trust, and a sustainable law-abiding life. This qualitative comparative case study examines how that process is shaped by institutional constraints and relational processes in Bangladesh. Drawing on 24 in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions, the study analyses family support, employment, stigma, reputation, community relations, informal brokerage, and post-release institutional assistance. The findings show that relationships frequently perform practical functions that formal systems do not consistently provide: families supply shelter and emotional security; trusted individuals broker employment and acceptance; and visible lawful work helps rebuild credibility. At the same time, these resources are conditional and unevenly distributed. The analysis develops an institutional-relational interpretation in which institutional scarcity alters the practical value of relational resources, increasing reliance on informal networks while potentially reproducing exclusion. The findings support a policy approach centred on continuity, brokerage, and coordinated community-based aftercare.