Making it on the Outside: Understanding Barriers to Women’s Post‐Incarceration Reintegration

Abstract

The increasing rate of imprisonment in the United States over the past few decades resulted in record numbers of individuals reentering society upon release. As men and women exit through prison gates, they encounter a range of obstacles that complicate their efforts to ''make it'' on the outside. Given the gendered impact of recent punitive prison policies, this essay focuses on women and traces their steps as they navigate the many complex, interrelated, and competing obstacles to successful reintegration post-incarceration. In particular, this essay describes how many barriers, and women's reentry experience more broadly, are shaped by gender, race, and class. Further, drawing on the feminist pathways perspective, we examine women's reentry in light of their pathways into offending focusing, in particular, on their victimization history.

Structural Inequality and Social Support for Women Prisoners Released to Rural Communities

“…These populations consistently report community stigma and structural injustice, including difficulties accessing housing, employment, and treatment for mental health and substance use after incarceration. The importance of family and friends as informal sources of emotional and material support also resonates with other populations of incarcerated women (Cobbina et al, 2012; Opsal & Foley, 2013), although the social supporters in our study appeared to be less able to provide informational support about reentry than those described elsewhere (Clone & DeHart, 2014). …”

“…The challenges of reentry described here are similar to those documented in studies of ethnic minorities impacted by incarceration (van Olphen, Eliason, Freudenberg, & Barnes, 2009; Wildeman & Western, 2010; Young & Reviere, 2006) and of women prisoners (Opsal & Foley, 2013), especially those with mental illness (Visher & Bakken, 2014). These populations consistently report community stigma and structural injustice, including difficulties accessing housing, employment, and treatment for mental health and substance use after incarceration.…”

“…For women who are mothers, close connection to children may deter further involvement in criminalized activities upon release (Edin & Kefalas, 2005; Hope, Wilder, & Watt, 2003; Sharp & Marcus-Mendoza, 2001). Families may help with child care both during and after imprisonment, although studies show that complications may arise when they abruptly shift this responsibility back to recent returnees (Cecil, McHale, Strozier, & Pietsch, 2008; Dodge & Progrebin, 2001; Opsal & Foley, 2013). …”

“…Incarceration and community reentry for rural women reflect gendered processes, with gender shaping incarceration rates and the support prisoners may need upon release (Opsal & Foley, 2013; Willging, Lilliott, & Kellett, 2015). Women in the United States are largely incarcerated for non-violent crimes (Smyth, 2012).…”

Peers Engaging in Empowering Research (PEER): Finding Women's Voices after Prison

“…In this study, the women often spoke of being overwhelmed and sometimes feeling like the safest place would be with their peers back in prison. Having engaging and empowering relationships with service providers as well as parole officers helped to mitigate the difficulties and risks that came with stepping into a free life [13,34]. Patience and compassion were key ingredients found in the connected relationships among the women and between the women and the service providers.…”