english

Peaking my interest, I began to follow different topics, articles, cases, and documentaries which have led me to only become more curious and probe further. I became disgusted to learn about privatized prisons and the contracts made with states to guarantee occupancy. State-signed contracts with these prisons obligates the state, or better yet each citizen of that state, to pay a penalty for empty beds. “These contract clauses incentivize keeping prison beds filled, which runs counter to many states’ public policy goals of reducing the prison population and increasing efforts for inmate rehabilitation” (N.A. 2013). How could we as a nation ever hope for a fair trial when the cards are stacked so heavily against us? “The significant political, organizational, and resource barriers to implementing these types of programs have hindered their development and reduced their effectiveness (Mears et al. 2003)” (Olson, Rozhon, Powers 2009, p.300).

Prior to beginning my research on the struggles faced by ex-convicts, I heard many issues concerning policies and acceptance leading to recidivism. This population faces countless risks following release or parole from prison and though much of society would rather wash their hands of these individuals, it is in the interest of the community as a whole to ensure and assist with their successful reintegration. This does not mean to forgive and forget, but to give them a chance to change and contribute to society. These obstacles make their release a time bomb to being re-incarcerated; from court and parole requirements, to employment and housing, to social acceptance and paying past or overdue debts accumulated during to their sentence. Most are released unprepared for the struggles they will be facing but also have issues with prioritizing as court rulings or parole requirements may interfere with work schedules and other obligations. This not only effects their reliability for the employer, but also their ability to pay court fees and housing costs, and could ultimately lead the termination of their employment. This in itself is an issue, because maintaining employment or student status, and housing are often requirements of parole. Once in violation of parole, the parolee is re-incarcerated for a short stent as punishment but this has a grave impact on any progress made since their initial release. This cycle is why I have chosen this topic; why I feel that we have a societal obligation to aid in reintegration and a true need to update our legal understanding and policies regarding incarceration and prisoner’s subsequent release. In Colorado, “In exchange for keeping the [privatized prison] facility open, the state agreed to a bed guarantee, which required Colorado to keep at least 3,300 prisoners in the three CCA facilities, at an annual rate of $20,000 per inmate for the 2013 fiscal year” (N.A. 2013). While some facilities offer some high school, collage, and trade school courses, “rehabilitation programs initially cost prisons money to implement, studies have shown that these programs decrease the recidivism rate, decreasing the prison population” (Reich 2017). With these kinds of results it was easy to find examples of wrong doing and fowl play, but as an individual citizen, I wanted to know what I could do to stop this cycle; to give a helping hand or a stronger chance to anyone leaving the system. So, that is where I forced my research.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

“Criminologists have shown that prison education classes drastically reduce the recidivism rate. In Ohio, for example, inmates who enroll in college classes have a re-offending rate of 18%, while prisoners who do not take college courses have a re-incarceration rate of 40%” (Reich 2017). I have seen what the cost is to taxpayers to keep prisoners locked up in federal or privatized facilities. With prison education sparsely sprinkled in for those granted access to it, successful rehabilitation could seem to be on an upswing. There have been a few site specific or special interest programs initiated. However, with or without prison education, what are the roadblocks for inmates after they have been paroled or have completed their prison sentence? A few of the big umbrella topics are accommodation or housing, employment, and a social support network as studied in Planning helps (Willis & Johnston 2012). The stigma of felon, convict, ex-convict, and/or sex offender lend their own set of hardships to inmates long after their debt to society has been repaid through incarceration. The rates of recidivism are less shocking when the obstacles and requirements are taken into consideration, often leaving ex-convicts metaphorically or possibly literally longing for re-incarceration. Prisoners, parolees, and ex-convicts will have to literally start over once released, so planning is a crucial step that is often not granted to inmates due to a lack of resources and programs. This means that once they are out, they must simultaneously coordinate transportation, housing, court and parole requirements, overdue fees, and employment.

Social Support

Inmates may be released without any living relatives but could also find themselves otherwise disowned. Those that do have some semblance of a social support network are also balancing their own lives and may not be willing or able to provide the support needed. This may be able to be offset through charities and organizations such as Lionheart Foundation, Catholic charities, and other non-profit organizations which can be set up or supported by the communities of returning members. These foundations can assist in helping meet basic needs and can be resources for community.

Employment

Employment even has its own set of hurdles at the basic level where “products such as safety boots, safety goggles, and hard hats can be quite expensive” (Van Heugten, 2019, p.24). Even if an individual went in to prison fairly knowledgeable with “something like basic computer skills are desirable for many non-labor job opportunities. Because digital developments are constantly changing, however, [inmates] can fall behind in these skills after even a short period of incarceration” (Van Heugten, 2019, p.25). When parolees are able to find a job they are still faced with issues involving the court and “general parole management requires parolees to maintain appointments with their parole officer (PO) even if this requires missing work” (Van Heugten, 2019, p.26) and unless they have been able to make arrangements with the employer this could obviously cost them the job at no fault of their own. One way society can assist with this issue is to understand this process and expect that this employee may be called upon and removed from work without much notice. Maybe until trust is built, they could provide a written statement accounting for the parole visit.

Finances

With the issue of employment, many of those incarcerated, are put away with accumulating debts on the outside and often lead to warrants for arrest if they are unable to pay them. “Another big obstacle is leaving prison with limited savings. Obtaining employment can take some time for offenders, and many of our clients do not have family or friends who are able to help them financially” (Van Heugten 2019, p.25). Inmates, prior to release or immediately following, could be assisted by budgeting courses. Listing known debts, bills, and costs of living, even if they do not immediately have the money to cover all of these items. It can help relieve stress just to have it laid out in front of you. This would also enable them to better articulate the reason they need money when addressing charities, courts, and other resources.

Housing

Considering a limited social network, some inmates may be offered or qualify for halfway housing programs, but those that aren’t, find themselves burdening the family and friends that they can manage until otherwise being forced to live on the street or in homeless shelters. Housing, in my opinion, is the most difficult hurdle to assist with, because it is one thing to donate my time, energy, and resources to others but when it comes to my personal space and the safety of my family I find myself closed off and unwilling to help. Maybe the best way to assist with this issue is to volunteer at halfway houses so that charities can operate more safely and smoothly.

Closing

The issue of incarceration is systemic and reaches far beyond what one person can have an impact on. The topic is broad and often unfair on many levels. This research project has taken me down many avenues and has not been altogether disappointing. I have found several small community outreaches, larger organizations, and many ways to volunteer. My opinion of this broken system has remained the same, but is now strengthened with numerical data, statistics, and facts. I feel like I would be better equipped to volunteer and organize a purpose based on what I have learned. Though we may not be able to have a hasty impact on parole requirements, court systems, and other obstacles these individuals face, we can support their rehabilitation by abandoning the stigma and having compassion. Those that are in a position to hire should do so with an educated understanding of what their situation is. Others can volunteer services teaching, cooking, maybe even a ride share, but until we can learn to rehabilitate our own and provide a purpose of community to these that have, for one reason or the other, found themselves outcasts, we will all continue to perpetuate a broken system of incarceration, and careless abandonment.

Works Cited

Bellotti, M. (2005). Life skills project. Journal of Correctional Education. Jun2005, Vol. 56 Issue 2, p96-100. 5p. Retrieved from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&sid=d58f894b-3e41-4fd6-8c08-41a5632babca%40pdc-v-sessmgr01