Barriers to Re-Entry of the Convicted
Nearly 700,000 individuals are released each year from American prisons, and around 9 million are released from jail. As per the National Institute of Justice, nearly two-thirds of these individuals are re-arrested within three years. After their release, formerly incarcerated individuals encounter numerous challenges when trying to reintegrate into society. They are often disenfranchised, have limited access to education, face scarce employment opportunities, and are ineligible for public benefits, housing, and student loans. These barriers severely impact millions of American families and make it almost impossible for those returning home to become the engaged and responsible citizens society expects them to be.
Key barriers to successful re-entry include:
Housing and homelessness
Housing insecurity and homelessness are critical issues for those involved in the criminal justice system. The nationwide shortage of affordable housing disproportionately affects individuals with criminal records, often leading to delayed release from prison and higher rates of homelessness. Formerly incarcerated persons are almost ten times more likely to be homeless, with those incarcerated multiple times facing even greater risk. Stable housing is crucial for reducing recidivism, yet federal housing assistance programs are often inaccessible to those with criminal records, and some policies unjustly restrict housing based on criminal history, further complicating re-entry.
Employment
Employment is a critical factor in successfully reintegrating individuals released from prison. However, over 90% of companies use background checks, making it challenging for one in three adults with a criminal record to find work. Although “ban the box” and fair-chance policies have been adopted by many states and major corporations, barriers remain. Additionally, occupational licensing restrictions and federal job bans further limit employment opportunities for those with criminal records, often resulting in lower earnings and increased recidivism. Lengthy community supervision conditions also restrict job prospects, forcing individuals to accept available employment rather than seeking long-term stability.
Barriers to Education
Formerly incarcerated individuals face significant barriers to education, being nearly twice as likely to lack a high school diploma and eight times less likely to complete college compared to the general public. Many correctional facilities lack the necessary infrastructure for effective distance education, leading to a disruption in programs. After release, formerly incarcerated individuals often struggle with limited access to technology and digital literacy, further hindering their ability to pursue educational opportunities.
Health Care Needs
Ex-offenders have numerous healthcare barriers they encounter upon their release from imprisonment. Higher mortality rates and poor healthcare access are not unusual, although Medicaid seems to play a significant role in successful transition after release. Thus, increasing access to Medicaid can lower recidivism by 11 percent. 5% in the first year and only 2% in the second. However, because of the “Medicaid inmate exclusion” policy, it is difficult to access coverage during imprisonment, and many detention centers do not have procedures in place for enrolling individuals for post-release healthcare. After release, individuals may not be able to maintain their Medicaid benefits which are in any case often delayed. As it was found that about two-thirds of the prison population of the United States have substance use disorders, maintaining continuity of care is essential to steer clear from relapse and re-incarceration.
Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is a major issue for those released from prison, with 91% reporting inadequate access to food. Regulations like SNAP and TANF often restrict benefits based on criminal history, leaving many reliant on dwindling community support. SNAP benefits are unavailable to individuals incarcerated for over 30 days, though some states allow pre-release processing. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 also limits SNAP access for those with drug felony convictions, disproportionately affecting women and families. Additionally, work requirements under SNAP further disadvantage formerly incarcerated individuals, complicating their ability to secure adequate food.
Veteran-Specific Re-entry Barriers
Veterans, making up about 8% of the jail and prison population, face unique re-entry challenges. They often need extensive medical, mental health, and substance use treatment due to trauma from military service. Many also struggle with psychosocial issues and homelessness. Additionally, some are ineligible for VA services due to discharge status.
Addressing the challenges faced by ex-offenders requires systemic and grassroots changes. On a systemic level, movements such as ‘Ban the Box’ seek to eliminate the requirement for applicants to disclose their criminal record on employment applications to promote fairness in the hiring process.
Grass root efforts include: The Prison University Project– a non-profit organization that provides college classes to prisoners and then employment upon release, and the Ride Home Program in California, which helps prisoners find transportation home after being released.
