Navigating the Barriers to Reentry Success

Formerly incarcerated individuals often face deep economic and societal barriers impacting not only their reentry success but also exacerbating their likelihood of reoffense while under community supervision. In fact, one in four formerly incarcerated individuals will find themselves rearrested within the first year of release, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. From poverty conditions to life trauma to policy constraints, these individuals may feel not in control of their situation and, as a result, may resort to resuming illegal activities just to meet their needs. Identifying and overcoming reentry barriers is critical to breaking the cycle of recidivism and addressing client, officer, and public safety.

Barrier #1: Living in Poverty

The relationship between socioeconomic status and justice system involvement is well documented in research. It has been shown that living below the federal poverty level is substantially overrepresented among justice-involved individuals. Poverty is not only associated with the likelihood of arrest, but it can also influence an individual’s livelihood after release. “These individuals are starting life over with less than they had before incarceration. Without the financial resources or life essentials, their conditions escalate,” emphasizes Jack Martin, former probation and parole chief.

Among formerly incarcerated individuals:

• More than 27% are unemployed, and for those who do secure employment, annual earnings are reduced by an average of 52%. These lost opportunities minimize the possibility of successful reentry, contributing to a cycle of economic instability that strains individuals and families.
• More than half have a high school diploma or GED as the highest form of education, which can limit options beyond specific industries.
• Homelessness is 10 times more likely compared to the general population, and research suggests it increases the threat of recidivism by nearly 50%. However, finding affordable housing is not easy. (more on policy barriers later.)
• Those living in rural areas may encounter inadequate resources. There are fewer options for employment, housing, and transportation across wider geographical areas, intensifying the obstacles of reintegration compared to urban areas.
• Mental illness is twice as likely compared to the general public. There is also a high correlation with co-occuring substance use disorders within these individuals, making them 64% more susceptible to rearrest. Despite this heightened state, basic health care and treatment are often neglected post-incarceration. (More on health care next.)

Living in poverty is a complex cycle to escape. However, through proven community supervision strategies, agencies can mitigate the hardships of poverty to optimize reentry success. Stay tuned for an upcoming white paper where we outline those strategies in finer detail.

Barrier #2: Lacking Access to Quality Health Care

Research estimates 85% of the U.S. prison population has an active substance use disorder or is incarcerated for a drug-related crime. What makes this more alarming is that these individuals are more vulnerable to recidivism post-incarceration.

The “solution” is frequently passed on to supervising officers during reentry practices by lining up an appropriate case plan focused on addressing these behaviors. However, according to a recent survey, 42% of agencies don’t receive specialized training for addressing mental health concerns. Research further validates this, indicating that the health care essentials, like coverage, provider care, and treatment, aren’t provided upon reentry.

Barrier #3: Experiencing Pre-Incarceration Trauma

Research indicates that justice-involved individuals report traumatic life experiences two to three times more often than the general population. These events can include spending time in foster care, receiving public assistance, living in public housing, experiencing homelessness, being subjected to crime, violence, or abuse, engaging in illegal substance use, or having an incarcerated parent. Similarly, incarceration can amplify conditions with exposures to new trauma: meager living conditions, violence, confinement, and family separation.

Recalling “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk, Martin underscores that “trauma is not an event of the past, but an imprint left on the mind, brain, and body.” He challenges agencies to consider how unresolved trauma can live within individuals for decades, leading to increased possibilities for adverse outcomes during reentry. As a solution endorsed by Martin, trauma-informed care recognizes the impact of trauma by delivering a comprehensive care plan and creating a supportive peer environment focused on healing with the goal of reducing recidivism and increasing safety.

Barrier #4: Blocked By Restrictive Policy Measures

Affordable housing is experiencing a shortage of more than seven million units across the U.S. For those with criminal records, housing options are even more scarce. Background screenings deem them ineligible for private housing, despite increased efforts around Fair Chance Housing ordinances, while public housing authorities impose policies that block them from accessing vouchers or the limited public housing they can afford.

Currently, more than 1,200 criminal record-related barriers to housing exist across state, county, and city jurisdictions. As a result, formerly incarcerated individuals find themselves “housing insecure” — a state where they are homeless or living in temporary housing like rooming houses, hotels, or motels. While homelessness or unstable housing are early predictors of rearrest, providing individuals with housing assistance support has the opposite effect.

Addressing Reentry Barriers with Purpose

The pathway to successful reentry is highly dependent on having a sound understanding of the barriers formerly incarcerated individuals face. Through timely and technology-enabled community supervision practices, officers are more equipped to purposefully guide their clients toward a life that defies the odds and drives impact in their communities. From efficiency to decision-making, officers can uphold their commitment to serve others, optimize outcomes, and strengthen community safety.

In an upcoming white paper, we explore the poverty barrier further by outlining distinct strategies for poverty-stricken communities. From a risk-needs-responsivity model to digital intervention, the white paper will examine the power of community supervision technology to improve reentry success.

Purpose-Built Case Management for Supervision

Simplify officer routines and optimize client outcomes with a single suite of integrated tools covering the life cycle of supervision — from pretrial, to probation, to parole.