Coming Home From Jail: The Social and Health Consequences of Community Reentry for Women, Male Adolescents, and Their Families and Communities

Abstract

Each year, more than 10 million people enter US jails, most returning home within a few weeks. Because jails concentrate people with infectious and chronic diseases, substance abuse, and mental health problems, and reentry policies often exacerbate these problems, the experiences of people leaving jail may contribute to health inequities in the low-income communities to which they return. Our study of the experiences in the year after release of 491 adolescent males and 476 adult women returning home from New York City jails shows that both populations have low employment rates and incomes and high rearrest rates. Few received services in jail. However, overall drug use and illegal activity declined significantly in the year after release. Postrelease employment and health insurance were associated with lower rearrest rates and drug use. Public policies on employment, drug treatment, housing, and health care often blocked successful reentry into society from jail, suggesting the need for new policies that support successful reentry into society.

Gender Differences in Jail Populations: Factors to Consider in Reentry Strategies

“…A body of literature suggests that women jail and prison inmates compared to men experience greater levels of homelessness prior to incarceration (Freudenberg et al, 2005;Glaze & Maruschak, 2008). Women prison inmates' higher rates of homelessness may be related to the higher incidents of physical and/or sexual abuse in their history (Glaze & Maruschak, 2008).…”

“…The increase in women's criminal justice system involvement has spurred investigation into gender-responsive reentry strategies, but gaps in the literature exist about gender differences and needs of jail inmate populations (Covington & Bloom, 2003;Sydney, 2005;van Wormer & Bartollas, 2007). Predominantly prison-focused literature suggests that gender-responsive rehabilitation strategies during the reentry process can reduce the reincarceration cycle for both men and women (Freudenberg, Daniels, Crum, Perkins, & Richie, 2005; National Institute of Justice [NIJ], 2005;Sydney, 2005;Yamatani & Spjeldnes, 2011). To add to the recidivism literature, this study examines gender differences by demographics, life circumstances, and needs for a population of inmates in a large urban county jail and discusses policy and practice implications.…”

“…Ideally, study findings recommend that all inmates should receive in-jail services or at least a needs and risk assessment and facilitate the transition to community-based agencies, which can prevent further criminal activity and address health care needs (Binswanger et al, 2010;Freudenberg et al, 2005;Yamatani & Spjeldnes, 2011). Although these practices are supported by evidence-based research, most jails have not yet instituted such a system and services to fully serve and help inmates transition from jail to community life (Modley, Giguere, & Carter, 2010).…”

An exploration of female offenders’ memorable messages from probation and parole officers on the self-assessment of behavior from a control theory perspective

“…Several characteristics common to women offenders' promote their continued illegal behavior. Many have histories of physical and sexual abuse as children and adults, which contribute to their self-medication with controlled substances or misuse of alcohol and prescription drugs (Chesney-Lind & Pasko, 2004;Freudenberg, Daniels, Crum, Perkins, & Richie, 2005;Salisbury, Van Voorhis, & Spiropoulis, 2009;Widom, 2000). Women involved with criminal or abusive men often become entangled in the justice system when they fight back in self-protection or when they are present in settings where men manufacture or sell drugs or commit other illegal acts (Richie, 1996).…”

“…Also in contrast to men, whose intimate partners often cared for their children and waited for their return to the family, many women's intimate partnerships dissolve while they are incarcerated (e.g. Freudenberg et al, 2005). Their other family members may have grown apart from them due to physical absence, rejection due to prior criminal behavior and the stigma attached to it, or they may themselves be involved in criminal behavior (Morash, 2010).…”