“I've just never done that:” The influence of transitional anxiety on post‐incarceration reentry and reintegration experiences among veterans

Abstract

Military veterans involved in the criminal justice system are a vulnerable subpopulation that has extensive physical and behavioural health treatment needs. Like nonveteran populations, safe and stable housing, employment and social support are critical for veterans returning to society after incarceration. The challenges of social reintegration are immense, and the risk of recidivism is high. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has developed specific programmes to assist veterans plan for and assist with reentry. While there have been successes, recidivism and early mortality are persistent concerns. This study examined reentry experiences of veterans living in one northeastern state to gain a better understanding of factors that influence social reintegration. The study was conducted in 2017 to inform an enhancement of VA reentry services through the addition of peer support. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 veterans with recent incarceration experiences and 27 reentry specialists working in five correctional facilities, two VA hospitals, five community agencies and two state departments. Interview transcripts were reviewed and coded using a Framework Analysis approach. Narratives highlight high levels of anxiety and uncertainty experienced as participants went through physical and emotional transitions associated with reentry and reintegration. This 'transitional anxiety' was often rooted in the absence of prior positive experiences engaging in socially normative activities, like obtaining housing and employment. Embarrassment and shame regarding a lack of experience with expected responsibilities were commonly reported. Although salient in veterans' narratives, reentry specialists rarely talked about problems post-incarceration in terms of limited life experience and skills, focusing instead on substance use and mental health issues. Few resources were available to support the development of critical life skills. Findings call attention to the need for understanding pre-incarceration experiences that may influence social reintegration and the development of tailored interventions to build skills and experience when needed.

Enhancing community integration after incarceration: findings from a prospective study of an intensive peer support intervention for veterans with an historical comparison group

“…The ability of peers to provide transportation and other logistical support to help secure and prepare documents (e.g., open bank account), comply with legal stipulations for conditions of probation/parole, and troubleshoot challenges when they arose (e.g., inappropriate housing match) was probably also critical, especially during the first days and weeks of reentry. Peers found, as we have noted in a prior publication from this study (Hyde, et al, 2021 ), that the intensity of work coincided with major transitions – such as in housing, employment, and relationships.…”

“…Lack of health insurance, competing economic needs, residential instability, and unaddressed mental health and substance use needs are significant barriers to accessing health and social services after returning to the community (Mallik-Kane, Paddock and Jannetta, 2018; Marlow et al, 2010;Vail et al, 2017). Less often highlighted are challenges related to inexperience with routine healthcare and negative prior experiences with social services (Hyde et al, 2021), which may in part underlie reasons for limited engagement in physical or behavioral health care in the months following release (Bellamy et al, 2019;Mallik-Kane & Visher, 2008;O'Connell et al, 2020).…”

“…The PIE intervention was developed by the authors following a qualitative formative phase, which included interviews with veterans with recent incarceration experience, reentry specialists and peer specialists within the VA and in the community, and state Department of Correction representatives (Hyde et al, 2021 ; Kim et al, 2019 ; Simmons et al, 2017 ). Findings from our previously published formative evaluation were used to develop core components of the PIE intervention and an intervention guide to orient peer specialists to the purpose and structure of the work.…”

Perspectives of homeless veterans living with substance use disorders (SUD) and mental illness

“…Veterans often struggle with reentry and social reintegration into the civilian sector post-release from the military, particularly with housing and access to mental health care [ 23 ]. All respondents had some experience with homelessness, ranging from three weeks to ten years.…”

“Just fighting for my life to stay alive”: a qualitative investigation of barriers and facilitators to community re-entry among people with opioid use disorder and incarceration histories

“…In another qualitative study, people experiencing homelessness were afraid they would return to substance use after release [ 26 ]. Moreover, Hyde et al, found that veterans recently released from prison expressed “transitional anxiety” which accompanied seeking housing and employment [ 39 ]. Participants noted that background checks for employment and educational programs that exclude persons with felony convictions limit options for people with a criminal record.…”