Life After Prison

Life After Prison

"In this brave new world, punishment for the original offense is no longer enough; one's debt to society is never paid" (Travis, 2002, p. 73).

When convicted criminals are released from prison, they are technically "free" individuals. However, life after prison can be just as difficult and fettered as life in prison, and, as the quote above points out, society's punishment extends well beyond the walls of the penitentiary. Reentry can present numerous challenges for prisoners, who leave prison not only with few to no possessions, but who also leave prison forever marked by their past. As Alexander (2012) observes, "A criminal record today authorizes precisely the forms of discrimination we supposedly left behind--discrimination in employment, housing, education, public benefits, and jury services. Those labeled criminals can even be denied the right to vote" (p. 141). Indeed, a criminal conviction often results in exclusion from society, which can be debilitating for those trying to get back on their feet after their release.

Here, we will look at the two of the main barriers that released prisoners face when they try to reenter society: employment and housing.

Employment

One of the main challenges for former prisoners is finding employment. Most job applications have what is known as the "box" - the question on job applications that asks about prior convictions. As a result, those with prior convictions are often ruled out immediately, leaving them with few options. Of those who have been previously incarcerated, black men have an even more difficult time finding employment - if employers are going to make an exception for an individual, statistics indicate that it is usually a white male. Ironically, forty of fifty jurisdictions require parolees to maintain employment, or they could be put back in prison (Alexander, 2012). Former prisoners, then, are put in quite a difficult position: they are required to be employed, but they can't find anyone to employ them. It is an unfortunate cycle.

At a more basic level, it is difficult for ex-offenders to move on with their lives without employment. If they are unable to find a job and generate income, the ramifications are far-reaching: they are unable to find housing, afford food, pay for health care, or support their families. How are they expected to rebuild their lives and contribute to society if they are not even afforded one of the most basic needs - employment? This is a complex and important issue, particularly in terms of preventing recidivism (this will be discussed further in the "recidivism" post). 

Housing

One of the primary concerns for former prisoners is where they are going to sleep. While some may have family members or friends that are willing to help out, others leave prison utterly alone, with no place to go. If an ex-offender is lucky enough to find a source of income (which, as mentioned above, is a challenge in of itself), he or she may still find barriers in the search for housing. Most housing applications also contain "the box," and many landlords will refuse housing to all those who must check "yes." As a result, nearly 25% of those living in homeless shelters have been incarcerated within the last year (Alexander, 2012). This struggle, combined with the discrimination they face in the job application process, means that former prisoners have a very slim chance to rebuild their lives.

Final Thoughts

Not only do former prisoners face challenges in both employment and housing, but many of them are also ineligible for federal benefits, including welfare, public housing, and educational assistance (Alexander, 2012). In essence, the government that is supposed to support its citizens turns its back on those who have been convicted of a crime, even if that crime is a minor drug offense. The cards are stacked against them in every way possible, which makes reentry incredibly difficult, particularly for men of color.

Recidivism

The likelihood of former prisoners returning to prison after being released is extraordinarily high: 43%% of released prisoners are rearrested within 3 years, and this figure is even higher for black males (Pew Center on the States, 2011). In addition, most of those who are rearrested are accused of non-violent crimes, such as property and drug offenses (Alexander, 2012).

Much of this high rate of recidivism likely has to do with the conditions into which former prisoners are released – many have no money, and due to the social stigma of being labeled a criminal, very little opportunity to find housing or employment. Therefore, it can be very hard for those released from prisons to get their feet under them, and recidivism becomes a near certainty for many. 

In addition, those on probation or parole are under strict surveillance, and any slight misstep can mean that they end up back in jail. This means that failing a drug test, missing a meeting with a probation officer, or even interacting with a felon, could cause former prisoners to be rearrested. It is a troublesome cycle that is exacerbated by the high rates of incarceration for people of color and the lack of support for and social marginalization of formerly incarcerated individuals after they leave prison.  

Alexander, M. (2012). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. New York: The New Press. 

Pew Center on the States. (2011). State of recidivism: The revolving door of America’s Prisons. Retrieved from http://www.pewtrusts.org/uploadedFiles/wwwpewtrustsorg/Reports/sentencing_and_corrections/State_Recidivism_Revolving_Door_America_Prisons%20.pdf