Demond Jones
Offender Reintegration Barriers & Gender
Differences Research Paper
CJUS 650
Liberty University
Summer 2019
Abstract
We all have differences and barriers due to race, gender, and/or religion. Not only do
offenders deal with these barriers and differences relating to their race and gender specifically to
add insult to injury their criminal past doesn’t make their life circumstances any better to deal
with. This paper will explore the gender differences and integration barriers offenders face when
returning to the community after serving a long prison sentence. This will also show how these
barriers effect the offenders’ chances of re-offending. It is with great hopes that this paper will
also provide information to the cause of recidivism. This paper will also explore the dynamics or
the requirements of second chance act. Barriers sex offenders face will also be discussed in this
paper. In this paper it will be discussed how all the barriers affect an offender’s ability to
reintegrate back in the community.
Keywords: Gender differences, integration barriers, integration, recidivism, second chance act,
sex offenders.
Introduction
Offenders face many disparities and barriers when they return to the community after
paying their debt to society by serving a prison or jail sentence. The prison system is a revolving
door simply because of the adversities these ex-offenders deal with and must make efforts to
overcome those adversities. Society is the main reason for the recidivism rate being the way it is.
Yes, the offenders play a part in it as well by putting themselves in such a situation that makes it
hard for them to have a product, law abiding life. Offenders are not afforded the same
opportunities others are once they have been convicted of a crime. Offenders shouldn’t be forced
back into the life of crime once they are in the community. They are almost left with no other
choice when the community turns their back on them when it comes to employment. Then the
question is asked why individuals continue committing crimes. I understand the pushback, but
society can’t expect a person to be completely reformed or rehabilitated when they aren’t really
given the second chance at life when their past is frowned upon.
The second chance act was passed to prevent these barriers by employers and property
owners. Unfortunately, offenders still must face or deal with these barriers. Those that face these
barriers are those who crime doesn’t fit the requirements or the criteria for their record to be
expunged or sealed from future employers, or landlords. I think it’s the community’s
responsibility as well as the criminal justice system to rehabilitate these offenders, so they don’t
have to face the barriers given by those who don’t understand what it’s like to lose their freedom
due to a life of crime. Lack of understanding from community leaders and or employers can also
be a barrier offenders’ also face in the community.
Gender Differences
When it comes to gender differences many believe that a certain gender receives better
treatment or job opportunities over the next. Men may get some jobs opposed to a woman, and a
woman get a job opposed to a man. Not only is there a gender difference in the job world, but
there is also one in the criminal justice system. Men are known for being incarcerated more than
women. Historically, men have been incarcerated at rates far greater than women. As a result,
reentry and reintegration programs have focused mainly on men's needs (Goodkind & Spjeldnes,
2009).
When it comes to committing crimes, men tend to commit more violent crimes and
women less violent and drug offenses. Men are more likely to be incarcerated for violent crimes
whereas women's crimes are generally drug or property-related crimes (Goodkind & Spjeldnes,
2009). These roles have somewhat increased. Women are being arrested more frequently just as
the men are. This has created a major role change. With the change in laws especially when it
comes to a domestic dispute, both parties are arrested now. So, this increases the incarceration
rate for women. Specifically, domestic violence mandatory arrest policies have led to arrests and
prosecutions of women involved in domestic disputes that in the past were often handled
informally (Goodkind & Spjeldnes, 2009). Other than women being arrested on domestic
charges, they are also arrested and charge with other minor crimes.
The get tough on crime movement affected both men and women because there was no
leniency when it came to making arrest. Law enforcement agencies were arresting any and
everyone that committed a crime that was an arrestable offense. This movement led to, greater
system involvement, prosecution, and longer sentences for minor types of violence. This has
affected women's rates of system involvement to a greater extent than men's because women are
more likely to engage in minor rather than serious acts of violence (Goodkind & Spjeldnes,
2009).
Women tend to be more violent towards what would be their husband, boyfriend, or ex.
Women kill these men because they have been a victim of some type of abuse. Of those females
in prison for violent crimes, many of them committed their crimes against a spouse, ex-spouse,
or boyfriend. They are likely to report having been physically or sexually abused, often by the
person they assaulted (Bloom & Covington, 1998).
Drug and alcohol use among females are on the rise, it is vital to recognize that there are
many gender differences in drug use when it relates to men and women. Women are less likely
than men to have ever used an illegal drug (Gordon, 2002). Men are more likely to be binge
drinkers than are women and to start using drugs and alcohol at earlier ages compared to women.
Women are more likely than men to drink alcohol in isolation, when pressured by an alcoholic
partner, or in response to negative emotions (Gordon, 2002). Men are more likely to have used a
psychedelic drug and to have developed an addiction to alcohol and to marijuana compared to
women (Gordon, 2002). Women alcohol abusers are more likely to report family histories of
alcohol abuse and dependence than are male alcohol abusers (Gordon, 2002). Substance abuse is
the most common psychiatric disorder among females (Bloom & Covington, 2002).
The list of gender differences goes on. There are many differences that females have than
males. For instance, women struggle with being a single mother having to raise one or multiple
children. This challenge gets more difficult when the woman is sent to prison, because majority
of the time, the woman is the sole caretaker of the child. When it comes to the men, some are
less worried about the wellbeing of their children because they are seeing about the child(ren)
daily, providing shelter or clothing, if they are even an active father.
In a research conducted by Bloom and Covington (2002), they pointed out ways that
females differ from males. Two of these differences which was already made mention of which
was that of women being single mothers and substance abuse issues. They went on to say that
male and female differ in the type of crimes they commit. Women commit more nonviolent
property crimes more often than men. Female offenders suffer from psychiatric disorders more
than men. Most female offenders are more poverty stricken, less skilled, and uneducated Bloom
and Covington (2002) goes on to say. These same female offenders have a history of physical
and sexual abuse. These same offenders weigh in at 80% of the female prison population
(Bloom & Covington, 2002). There was a great percentage of these women being abused as
children and as adults. They suffered from emotional abuse as well.
These gender differences trickle down to gender specific services. Although men and
women may suffer from the same disease such as drug addiction, the type of services they use
are different. Drug abuse affects the user in different ways, just as a two people with a terminal
illness such as cancer. They both can receive chemo therapy, but one may benefit more from
having the cancer removed.
When it comes to gender differences in receiving services gender plays a role in the
progression of addiction. Gender-specific services are designed to address gender related issues
of addictive processes and barriers to care (Gordon, 2002). Women tend to become medically
compromised more quickly and differently than male addicts and alcoholics (Gordon, 2002).
The rate of growth for female arrestees is significantly higher than for males. At the same
time there is evidence that women and girls receive greater leniency throughout the criminal
justice process from arrest through sentencing (Gideon & Sung, 2011). Although there is more
extensive data regarding the characteristics of women in prisons and jails, there is far less
information on female offenders in community correctional settings. This is due to the small
percentage of females in jail or prison and the lack of crimes committed by women (Bloom &
Covington, 1998).
Reintegration Barriers
What are barriers? Barriers a natural formation or structure that prevents or hinders
movement or action (webster.com). What is reintegration? Reintegration is the functional aspect
as opposed to the physical dimension, of the transition from incarceration to community (Gideon
& Sung, 2011). Barriers can also be unforeseen circumstances or obstacles that prevent a person
or persons from achieving a desired goal.
Reintegration back into the community is a barrier itself. Offenders face many barriers
when they return to the community. No matter what crime they have committed, they are still
the black sheep of their communities. Many barriers they face is their criminal record or being
labeled as a felon, ex-con which prevents them from obtaining employment or even what they
call “equal housing” opportunity. As mentioned earlier in this paper offenders face barriers such
as race, gender, employment, housing, and crime.
Sex Offenders
Sex offenders face many barriers than most. They have more restrictions than most. A
sex offender can’t be in so many feet of where children are such as playgrounds, schools,
employment. Thus, making it extremely hard for them to have a successful life after prison.
They also must register as a sex offender. In England they passed an act that didn’t allow sex
offenders to work around children or elderly. Sex offenders can be barred from working with
children and vulnerable adults by means of a preventative order under the Criminal Justice and
Court Services
Act 2000 (legislation.uk, 2000). The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 is an act to
establish a National Probation Service for England and Wales and a Children and Family Court
Advisory and Support Service; to make further provision for the protection of children
(legislation.uk, 2000). England and the United states share the same idea when it comes to
protecting future victims from already convicted sex offenders. The difference between to the
two is that England focuses more on protecting the child and in the U.S. the focus is to protect all
future or potential victims no matter the age. The proximity law was enacted to do just that. The
proximity law was put into place to keep sex offenders a certain distance away from areas where
these potential victims may be such as daycares, schools, parks, and bus stops (Gideon & Sung,
2011). A violation of this would have the offender put in jail or sent back to prison if they were
out on parole.
Depending on the state determines how they will handle notifying the community of the
release of a sex offender. Some states handle the release of a sex offender differently. Some
states chose to notify the public according to the offenders’ level of risk, and other states simply
chose to notify the public about all sex offenders regardless of risk level (Gideon & Sung, 2011).
In 1996 a communication notification was enacted by way of the Megan’s Law which allowed
for sex offenders personal information to be released to the public (Gideon & Sung). With all the
restrictions place on sex offenders, it is difficult for them to do anything in the communities.
Violent Offenders
For the violent offenders, their transition back into the community isn’t as difficult as the
sex offenders. Although, they have committed violent crimes they have grants available for them
to obtain the adequate needs to establish themselves in the community. There was an initiative
proposed just for violent offenders. The purpose of this initiative was to facilitate and implement
reentry to the community and reintegration of the violent offenders. The serious and violent Re-
entry Initiative was implemented in 2003-2004 to facilitate the community reentry of serious and
violent offenders 35 years or younger (Gideon & Sung). The initiative as federally funded with
$110-million that stretched to 69 agencies across the country. This grant facilitated employment
opportunities, housing, family and community involvement, improve the offenders’ health and a
host of other areas (Gideon & Sung, 2011). Speaking of employment, many offenders lack job
skills and education although they may have good work ethic, they are not skilled in the jobs in
which many of them apply. The substantial deterioration in employment and earnings among the
nation's less-educated workers, especially minorities and younger males in the nation's big cities,
has been tentatively ascribed to a variety of causes: an increase in required job skills, the
movement of companies from the cities to the suburbs, and a rising unwillingness to hire
minority job seekers (Holzer, 1999).
Employment Barriers
When it comes to ethnicity or race there are races that fare better than the next due to
their skin complexion. This has been a stigma for years and remains till this day. When
relating the ethic background to reintegration. Not only do those that have been convicted have
to fight with their background being checked, but they also must fight missing out on a job
opportunity because of discrimination. Formerly incarcerated people, especially men of color,
face widespread discrimination in the workplace because their past convictions (Gideon &
Sung, 2011). Along with being a person of color, the procedure of having a background check
conducted doesn’t make it any easier due to having criminal convictions. Various studies and
focus groups have revealed a clear bias among employers against hiring people with criminal
convictions (Gideon & Sung, 2011). Having a criminal record, makes employees fearful and
reluctant to hire, as well as making the offender unpredictable. Some employers believe a person
with a criminal history is less trustworthy, is more likely to cause trouble at the job, has a lower
work ethic, and will be less productive than someone without a criminal conviction (Gideon &
Sung, 2011).
Conclusion
The bible states that man should not judge another because his transgressions, because we
all fall short of his glory. In Romans 12:2 reads “Do not be conformed of this world, but be
transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of
God, and acceptable and perfect (ESV)”. When an offender is incarcerated, he or she is placed
there to be rehabilitated and renew his mind and become a changed person. Employers not
providing ex-offenders an opportunity they are passing judgement on them. Job 36:17 reads “But
you are full of judgement on the wicked; judgement and justice seize you (ESV)”. Romans
14:13 reads “Therefore let us not pass judgement on one another any longer, but rather decide
never to put a stumbling block or hinderance in the way of a brother (ESV)”. Employers not
providing employment to those offenders are creating stumbling blocks other than the ones the
leave prison or jail with. There are many barriers and differences faced by offenders. Those of
which they can overcome if they are really afforded a second chance in the community. As
communities are barriers at times not being able to adjust knowing such offender is among them.
Once an offender has left incarceration, it is the communities to continuing helping rehabilitate
the offenders, by providing them job opportunities, and housing. This task will be hard when
pertaining to sex offenders due to the restrictions they have. Every man above ground deserves a
second, being that we serve a God of a second chance. Just as God forgives us, offenders should
be forgiven as well. Their debt was paid serving time, ours were paid when Jesus went up on the
cross and died, providing us a second chance for our, sins.
Luke 19:43 reads “For the days will come upon you, when you enemies will set up a
barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side (ESV)”.
References
Bloom, E. Barbara & Covington, S. Stephanie, (1998). Gender-Specific Programming for
Female Offenders: What is it and Why is it Important? Retrieved from
https://www.centerforgenderandjustice.org/assets/files/13.pdf
Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (2000). Retrieved from
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/43/pdfs/ukpga_20000043_en.pdf
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrier
Gideon, Lior & Sung, Hung-E (2011). Rethinking Corrections. Rehabilitation, Reentry, and
Reintegration.
Goodkind, S, & Spjeldnes, S (2009). Gender Differences and Offender Reentry: A Review of the
Literature. Retrieved from https://www-tandfonline
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/doi/full/10.1080/10509670902850812
Gordon, M. Susan, Ph.D. (2002). Women & Addiction: Gender Issues in Abuse and Treatment.
Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED466897.pdf
Holzer, Harry (1999). What Employers Want: Job Prospects for Less-Educated Workers. New
York: Russell Sage Foundation. Retrieved from
https://www.russellsage.org/publications/what-employers-want-0
The Holy Bible. English Standard Version..
