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Reentry is the transition from incarceration – life in prison, jail, or juvenile justice facilities – to life in the community. Each year roughly 600,000 individuals return to our neighborhoods after serving time in federal or state prisons and 11.4 million people cycle through local jails. Nearly everyone who goes to jail and approximately 95 percent of persons in state or federal prison will eventually return home. Although returning to the community may be inevitable, successful reentry and reintegration are not. Recidivism studies reveal that two out of every three people released from state prison are rearrested for a new offense and about half return to prison within three years. When reentry fails, the social and economic costs are significant – higher crime, more victims, increased family distress, and greater strain on state and municipal budgets.
The effects of incarceration are felt far beyond prison walls and impact health. In addition to pressing needs upon reentry such as housing, employment, and educational opportunities, justice-involved individuals have disproportionately high rates of chronic health conditions, and mental health issues and substance use disorders are common. Youth typically face a host of challenges to making this transition successfully, including receiving the necessary support from their families, peers, and communities; enrolling in an appropriate educational or vocational setting; maintaining a continuity of treatment for psychiatric disabilities or substance use disorders; and transitioning to adulthood and economic independence. Poorer access to health coverage and health care pose significant challenges for returning citizens, can contribute to a worsening of their health status, and are associated with higher rates of recidivism. The health sector, therefore, has an important role to play in supporting formerly incarcerated individuals to address their health needs. Access to health care and improved health status may also lead to improved opportunities for employment, housing, and family support. Furthermore, racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately represented in the correctional system, and such involvement places a disproportionate negative impact on the health and well-being of these groups and their families. All Americans, including those who are formerly incarcerated and have paid their debt to society, should have the opportunity to reach their full potential for health.
The purpose of this webpage is to provide a consolidated location for available reentry resources for returning citizens and their families, HHS grantees, and other individuals/organizations working to help people leaving the criminal justice system.
Bureau of Justice – Reentry Trends in the US National Resource Reentry Center
OMH HIV/AIDS Health Improvement for the Reentry Population (HIRE) Federal Funding and Services for Prisoner Reentry Federal Bureau of Prisons Reentry Programs Residential Reentry Centers Reentry Programs by State Mercy Corps Northwest-ROAR Reentry Programs for Women Inmates Ex-Prisoner Reentry Pilot Project National H.I.R.E Network
Children of Incarcerated Parents Tips for incarcerated parents Tips for correctional staff Tips for mentors Tips for teachers www.benefits.gov National Resource Center for Children and Families of the Incarcerated
National Coalition of Community-Based Correctional and Community Reentry Service Organizations (National Network of Prison Nonprofits) Justice Center –The Council of State Governments National Reentry Resource Center
Incarceration & Reentry Health Care Coverage for Reentering Men The Importance of Medicaid Coverage for Criminal Justice Involved Individuals Reentering Their Communities Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
Roadmap to Reentry The Department of Justice (DOJ)
Reentry Resources for Individuals, Providers, Communities and States SAMHSA
Findings on Best Practices of Community Reentry Programs for Previously Incarcerated Persons (2007) Eisenhower Foundation
Building Knowledge about Successful Prisoner Reentry Strategies (2013) Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation
Implementing a Reentry Program According to Best Practices (2007) Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety
Leading Best Practices in US Prisoner Reentry Employment Programs SAFER Foundation
Mentoring Ex-Prisoners: A Guide for Prisoner Reentry Programs (2007) Department of Labor
Office of Minority Health
Reducing Ex-offender Health Disparities through the Affordable Care Act: Fostering Improved Health Care Access and Linkages to Integrated Care AIMS Public Health , 2014, 1(2): 76-83. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2014.2.76 Lacreisha Ejike-King, Rashida Dorsey U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health
Office of Minority Health Resource Center Select articles on reentry in minority populations from the OMH Resource Center. SAMHSA- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation. SAMHSA’s Efforts on Criminal and Juvenile Justice Issues
Justice Center-The Council of State Governments National Reentry Resource Center Integrated Reentry and Employment Strategies: Reducing Recidivism and Promoting Job Readiness
National Institute of Justice Publications and Videos
Consequences of a Prison Record for Employment: How Do Race, Ethnicity & Gender Factor In? NCJ 245440, February 2014, Recorded Seminar, by Scott Decker (11 pages) Detail | HTML (Transcript) | VIDEO (01:11:29)
Second Chance Act: What Have We Learned About Reentry Programs So Far? Interview With Ron D'Amico NCJ 243010, June 2013, Remarks/Interview, by Ron D'Amico (1 pages) Detail | HTML (Transcript) | VIDEO (00:07:45)
'Cultural Shift' Is Among Findings of Second Chance Act Evaluation NCJ 244147, December 2013, NIJ Journal, by Nancy Ritter (7 pages) Improving Access to Services for Female Offenders Returning to the Community NCJ 237725, March 2012, NIJ Journal, by Marie Garcia, Nancy Ritter (6 pages)
In Search of a Job: Criminal Records as Barriers to Employment NCJ 238488, June 2012, NIJ Journal, by Amy L. Solomon (10 pages)
National Institute of Justice Grant Reports:
Childhood Trauma and Its Effects: Implication for the Police (2015)
Investigating Prisoner Reentry: The Impact of Conviction Status on the Employment Prospects of Young Men (2009)
Reentry: Dynamic Risk Assessment
The Effectiveness of Prisoner Reentry Services as Crime Control: The Fortune Society
For more resources on reentry, including customized funding and literature searches, contact the OMH Resource Center at info@minorityhealth.hhs.gov or 800-444-6472.