Punishments and the Effects They Have on the Reentry Process

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• Different sentencing types and structure

• Different types of release mechanisms

• Different types of programs provided in prisons by correctional system

• Intensity of supervision provided by community supervision agency

• Family and community support available to the offender

• Types of social services available in the offenders community

• Status of the local economy and offenders ability of obtain employment

Offender Reentry

In order to understand offender reentry programs we must define what reentry entails. Most people believe that offenders get “Just Deserts” based on their conviction. The policy makers want us to believe that policies put in place are there to protect society from becoming a victim of the offender (Von Hirsch 2012). While this may be true to some extent, society is really being set up for the backlash of recidivism once the offender recidivates and winds up back in the penal system. If the offenders aren’t given a life sentence in prison and they do not die while in custody, they will be released back into the community.

Defining recidivism as the re-arrest, reconviction, or incarceration of an ex-offender allows us to look into the success or failure of programs offered for reentry. This usually includes any number of circumstances. The offender may have failed a drug test, not reported to their community supervisor, or committed a new crime. Some programs may be more successful based on geographic, demographic, or other factors such as the community resources offered to offenders. Many offenders are likely to desist from crime through these programs however there is “no universal agreement about what works in these offender programs or offender supervision (Trotter 2012)”.

There is little research focusing on the programs that work. However, the “What Works” analysis by University of Maryland for the National Institute of Justice report to congress in 1997 created a jumping off point for research ( The research method was adapted to the field in a 2003 St Louis University Study. There was a scoring system to identify programs effectiveness based on the impact of reentry. The types of programs found to be most effective for reentry may differ based on outside influences. Studies show the largest obstacles for offenders are education, money, mental health, housing, and community support. These issues seem are addressed by the programs that appear to be working.

Offenders are able to obtain their Government Equivalency Degree while incarcerated. However upon release they cannot further that education.

Employment creates stability and allows the offender to be financially responsible. Providing vocational training and assistance with job placement appear to rank high in the successful reentry category and lessen the recidivism rates.

Addressing mental health issues and providing offenders with drug treatment programs to create an emotionally secure environment for offenders. Offering an intensive treatment beginning in prison along with a stringent after care program upon release has proved to be effective for reducing relapse and recidivism.

Housing issues should be viewed differently. Offenders need to learn how to be a part of the community while being slowly introduced in to living outside of the prison walls. Halfway House Programs provide a transitioning point into stable living.

Family and community support

The programs that begin while incarcerated seem to have the most effect on reentry and recidivism. Setting an offender up to successful reentry seems logical. As a society, we do not want offenders released into communities to recommit more crime. We not only do not want to be a victim of the crime we do not want to pay the societal cost of the offense. Most people believe if you do the crime you must do the time; however, there is also a belief once the offender has done the time they are to reenter society and never offend again. There is disconnect in the reentry process. We can structure programs to give the offender tools to succeed, but we cannot seem to take away what is known as the invisible punishments that really hold them back from a successful reentry and desistance from crime.

Employment and Housing Barriers

Two of the toughest problems facing felons upon reentry are employment and housing (Petersilia 2003). Employment and stable housing are crucial to all individuals. When a felon can’t obtain employment because they have to self-identify as a felon on a job application or the employers are allowed to run background checks and exclude convicted felons as a result there really is a lingering punishment after they have served their criminal sentence. Most offenders reenter the work place during the initial stages of the reentry process. Many of them are living in a work release facility, a 1/2way house, or a homeless shelter. There is a stigma associated to living in a rehabilitative group living situation. There is also restrictions placed on the felon while living in structured living environments. There may be curfews and time constraints that are not conducive to entry-level position, such as an evening or weekend curfew. When an employer notices the address, they are less likely to offer the felon a position. Assuming the felon has a higher rate of instability. Therefore, if you cannot get a job because you do not have a stable residence and you cannot get a stable residence because you do not have a job you are really in a never-ending cycle.

In addition to basic barrier of obtaining employment when you are a convicted felon there are many professions that require employment certificates that felon are unable to obtain due to their conviction. There are many professions licensed by the state not allowed to hire a felon (Mukamal 2004). To make matters worse Mukamal also notes that some of the licensing bans apply to trades taught to inmates as a reentry vocation. Even getting a job as a car salesperson or real estate agent requires a special petition to the state for a license if you have a prior felony conviction. As a convict trying to change their life there are huge issues with the invisible barriers that block so many from achieving that goal.

Looking at basic housing needs the where does a convict stand when trying to obtain housing?