Postincarceration policies and prisoner reentry: Implications for policies and programs aimed at reducing recidivism and poverty

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe concept of postincarceration policy is used in this article to define policies focused on preventing populations often described as “criminals,” who have completed their incarceration time, to enter workplaces, use public housing, public assistance, and receive government student loans. The authors argue that aside from these postincarceration policies being punitive, they result in significant social, financial, educational, housing, and health care barriers to reentry and reintegration of prisoners into their communities as productive citizens. Further, these policies have a number of unintended consequences, including reducing the effectiveness of policies aimed at decreasing poverty and homelessness and improving the education attainment of the low-skilled workforce. This article describes these postincarceration policies and critically examines the consequences, intended and unintended, of these policies. Implications for future postincarceration policy development, program implementation, and research are discussed.