"Working to
Build A Better Community"
"The
probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not deter us from the
support of a cause we believe to be just."
~ Abraham Lincoln
EX-OFFENDER HOUSING DISCRIMINATION
THE BIG PICTURE: REALITY IN THE U.S.
THE REALITY IN MASSACHUSETTS
Current
Re-entry Programs
Sample Re-entry Pathways
Recidivism
Homelessness
Social/Legal
Barriers
Personal Barriers
THE LAW IN MASSACHUSETTS
COMMUNITY RESOURCES IN
MASSACHUSETTS
PROGRAMS IN OTHER STATES
PERSONAL BARRIERS TO RE-ENTRY &
ADVOCACY
RECOMMENDATIONS
▼SUBSTANCE
ADDICTION /
▼MENTAL
ILLNESS /
▼IDENTIFICATION
/ ▼EDUCATION
/
▼SELF-ESTEEM
/ GLOSSARY
Upon release, many ex-offenders are determined to avoid criminal activity and distance themselves from the activities, mind-sets and even support systems that led them to incarceration in the first place. But after serving time in prison, ex-offenders are frequently released without money, a place to live, food, clothing, family, friends, and other support systems. For those ex-offenders lacking physical, psychological, social and spiritual resources in the aftermath of the often traumatic prison experiences, the challenges of re-entry may seem insurmountable. In the absence of access to adequate supports, returning to criminal activity becomes far more likely for ex-offenders. The unique circumstances of each ex-offender also impact the path of his or her re-entry. By gaining greater insight into the types of personal barriers that ex-offenders face, advocates (many of whom are ex-offenders as well) can better assist ex-offenders to help themselves through their individual re-entry experiences.
Here we describe many personal barriers that ex-offenders grapple with upon release from prison, and offer recommendations about how to support ex-offenders as they address the challenges of re-integration.
Substance Addiction
Many ex-offenders have
histories of substance addiction. The Massachusetts Department of
Corrections reports that at least 86.5% of state inmates would benefit from
substance addiction treatment. Even if ex-offenders receive treatment for
substance addiction while in prison, relapses may still be likely to occur
upon release due to the stresses of re-entry, greater access to addictive
substances and lack of access to treatment programs. Battling with an
addiction makes the work of finding a job and housing a supreme challenge.
For ex-offenders with substance addiction issues, engaging in crime may appear
to be the most feasible means of supporting an ongoing addiction.
Recommendation. Given the prevalence of substance addiction among ex-offenders, treatment programs should be readily accessible both during incarceration and upon release. Such programs do in fact exist, but the existing programs are dwarfed by the high level of need; hence, most require a referral. While the Resource List for Ex-offenders and Advocates does not provide an exhaustive list, many of the resources listed can provide information about treatment programs in the Greater Boston area.
Mental Illness
An estimated 5 to 20 percent
of the 22,850 inmates in Massachusetts suffer from schizophrenia, bipolar
disorder, or another substance addition-related mental health issue.
Without treatment, mentally-ill ex-offenders are likely to face ongoing and
severe re-entry challenges especially in relation to employment and housing.
Without support, ex-offenders with mental health challenges are especially
vulnerable to violence and abuse. Without support for those with these
special needs, this population of ex-offenders may be more likely to become
involved in criminal activity.
Upon release from prison, an
ex-offender is unlikely to have access to necessary mental health treatment.
Medication is one way of treating mental illness. Mental illness may
have a devastating affect on an ex-offender’s ability to function on a daily
basis. It may also serve as a basis for the rejection of an ex-offender’s
application for work or housing.
Recommendation. Advocacy efforts should support the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, ongoing access to medication for those in need, as well as non-psychopharmacological therapeutic interventions both inside prisons and beyond. Transition programs for ex-offenders whose levels of functioning are particularly low due to mental health challenges should be explored as priorities during pre-release planning.
Identification
In the initial weeks
following release, ex-offenders face tremendous hurdles in re-integration
due to a lack of personal government-issued identification. Birth
certificates, licenses, social security cards and other forms of
identification tend to be lost during imprisonment. Without identification,
an ex-offender is far less likely to obtain housing or employment. It is
nearly impossible to replace lost identification without money. During early
stages of re-entry, obtaining identification is a time consuming but
critical step for the ex-offender.
Recommendation. Prior to release from incarceration, all prisoners should be provided with assistance in obtaining government-issued personal identification documents.
Education
Some ex-offenders have
not received adequate education and therefore may lack basic reading, writing
and math skills. The lack of these skills impedes an ex-offender’s ability
to obtain employment, housing and other resource. Ex-offenders need life
skills support, job training and other educational programs to assist them
in these areas.
Recommendation. Prisons and re-entry programs should provide a variety of educational programs geared towards the special needs of inmates and ex-offenders.
Self-Esteem
Many ex-offenders experience
feelings of low self-worth upon release from prison. These feelings can be
compounded by an absence of social supports. For these reasons,
ex-offenders are particularly vulnerable to depression, making it difficult
for an ex-offender to be assertive in serving as his or her own best
advocate throughout the re-entry process. Ex-offenders who have had
relative success in their re-entry experiences report having had to appeal
housing decisions, challenge employment rejections, and confront government
agencies. All of these self-advocacy initiatives require great confidence
and hopefulness. Ex-offenders live with social stigma and are frequently
treated as having second-class status. In the absence of support, the
internalization of these negative messages may lead ex-offenders to resort
to crime-related behavior.
Recommendation. Educating the general public about the emotional challenges ex-offenders face during re-entry can begin to address the effects of harsh social stigmas often attached to ex-offenders. Programs endeavoring to provide ex-offenders with holistic forms of support can help ex-offenders empower themselves to take on the ongoing challenges of re-entry. Ex-offenders who have already experienced the challenges of re-entry should be involved in advocacy that addresses the emotional aspects of re-entry.