Reentry Programs Research Articles

Finding help and hope in a peer-led reentry service hub near a detention centre: A process evaluation.

When people leave correctional institutions, they face myriad personal, social and structural barriers to reentry, including significant challenges with mental health, substance use, and homelessness. However, there are few reentry programs designed to support people's health, wellbeing, and social integration, and there are even fewer evaluations of such programs. The purpose of this article is to report the qualitative findings from an early process evaluation of the Reintegration Centre-a peer-led service hub designed to support men on the day they are released from custody. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews and examined quantitative service intake data with 21 men who accessed the Reintegration Centre immediately upon release. Participants encountered significant reentry challenges and barriers to service access and utilization. The data suggest that the peer-led service hub model enhanced the service encounter experience and efficiently and effectively addressed reentry needs through the provision of basic supports and individualized service referrals. Notably, the Reintegration Centre's proximity to the detention centre facilitated rapid access to essential services upon release, and the peer-support workers affirmed client autonomy and moral worth in the service encounter, fostering mutual respect and trust. Locating reentry programs near bail courts and detention centres may reduce barriers to service access. A peer-led service hub that provides immediate support for basic needs along with individualized service referrals is a promising approach to reentry programs that aim to support post-release health, wellbeing, and social integration. A social system that fosters cross-sectoral collaboration and continuity of care through innovative funding initiatives is vital to the effectiveness and sustainability of such reentry programs.

Accessing Behavioral Health Services and the Justice-Involved: The Significance of Ecological Considerations

Knowledge and understanding of reentry challenges, reentry programming, and reentry evaluations is primarily limited to formerly incarcerated persons (FIPs) who return to urban areas despite the structural and contextual differences between urban and non-urban locales. These differences may be especially salient when it comes to access to services for behavioral health needs that, if left untreated, increase the likelihood of recidivism. Reentry planning prior to release has been found to be beneficial, as well as providing direct linkages to services post-release. However, barriers or competing priorities may keep FIPs from accessing needed behavioral health services after release. To increase the probability for more successful post-release transitions, studies need to determine and understand soon-to-be-released inmates’ likelihood of utilizing these services. Thus, the purpose of this research was to examine the importance of demographic characteristics, ecological factors, and utilization of treatment services for drugs, alcohol, mental health, and anger management prior to release to FIPs’ intent to receive these services after their release. Data was collected from 173 individuals incarcerated in either a prison or a community-based correctional facility (CBCF) and analyzed via logistic regressions. Results suggest that being female and utilization of services while incarcerated predicted intent to use drug and mental health services after release; not surprisingly, crime type and type of facility was predictive of intent to utilize anger management services post release; type of facility, and interaction of housing and concentrated disadvantage was predictive of intent to take advantage of alcohol treatment services. These findings have micro, mezzo, and macro implications and are especially relevant given the limitations of resource availability and accessibility in urban and non-urban areas. Streamlining these services to FIPs’ needs and building community capacity to meet specific needs identified by FIPs is more likely to engage them and increase their likelihood to improve reentry outcomes.

Improving Adult and Youth Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Program (DOJ)

Federal Grants & ContractsVolume 47, Issue 6 p. 5-5 Grants Alerts Improving Adult and Youth Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry Program (DOJ) First published: 14 February 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/fgc.32867Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume47, Issue616 February 2023Pages 5-5 RelatedInformation

High Risk of Substance Use Disorder-Related Outcomes in Veterans Released from Correctional Facilities in Mid to Late Life.

Veterans Affairs (VA) is likely to encounter a growing number of veterans returning to the community in mid to late life following incarceration (i.e., experiencing reentry). Yet, rates of negative health outcomes due to substance use disorders (SUDs) in this population are unknown. To determine risk of and risk factors for SUD-related emergency department visits and inpatient hospitalizations (ED/IPH) and overdose death among older reentry veterans compared with never-incarcerated veterans. Retrospective cohort study using national VA and Medicare healthcare systems data. Veterans age ≥50, incarcerated for ≤5 consecutive years, and released between October 1, 2010, and September 30, 2017 (N = 18,803), were propensity score-matched 1:5 with never-incarcerated veterans (N = 94,015) on demographic characteristics, reason for Medicare eligibility, and SUD history. SUD-related ED/IPH (overall and substance-specific) were obtained from in-/outpatient VA health services and CMS data within the year following release date/index date (through September 30, 2018). Overdose death within 1year was identified using the National Mortality Data Repository. Fine-Gray proportional hazards regression compared risk of SUD-related ED/IPH and overdose death between the two groups. The number of SUD-related ED/IPHs and overdose deaths was 2470 (13.1%) and 72 (0.38%) in the reentry sample versus 4402 (4.7%) and 198 (0.21%) in the never-incarcerated sample, respectively. Mid-to-late-life reentry was associated with higher risk of any SUD-related ED/IPH (13,136.2 vs. 2252.8 per 100,000/year; adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.08, 2.30) and overdose death (382.9 vs. 210.6 per 100,000/year; AHR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.63, 3.08). Older reentry veterans have more than double the risk of experiencing SUD-related ED/IPH (overall and substance-specific) and overdose death, even after accounting for SUD history and other likely confounders. These findings highlight the vulnerability of this population. Improved knowledge regarding SUD-related negative health outcomes may help to tailor VA reentry programming.

Higher buprenorphine dose associated with increased treatment retention at low threshold buprenorphine clinic: A retrospective cohort study

IntroductionControversy exists regarding effective sublingual buprenorphine dosing for treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), leading to dose caps of 16 mg per day. The Project Connections at Re-Entry (PCARE) program is a low-threshold buprenorphine clinic that provides medication for OUD to vulnerable populations in Baltimore City. ObjectivesTo compare retention in care based on treatment dose of buprenorphine, and to examine associated population characteristics. MethodsThis analysis includes clinical patients who received buprenorphine treatment at PCARE between January and July 2021. The study categorized patients into two dosing groups (16 mg or >16 mg). We conducted chi-square tests of independence for categorical variables and independent sample t-tests for continuous variables to evaluate any significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics by dosing category. To examine differences in 30- and 90-day retention, we conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses with the outcome variable defined as successful retention (at 30 and 90 days, respectively) controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics. ResultsIn the study period, 566 patients received buprenorphine treatment at the PCARE van. Patients were primarily male (70.9 %), Black (89.4 %), had a mean age of 46.3 years (SD = 11.5), and a mean opioid use of 22.1 years (SD = 13.5). The majority had previous criminal justice involvement (73.9 %), Medicaid insurance coverage (75.4 %), and were unemployed (69.6 %). Nearly half of the sample had reported a previous overdose event (48.4 %). The study found no significant demographic differences between patients receiving 16 mg of buprenorphine per day compared to patients receiving >16 mg. Patients receiving >16 mg had significantly higher rates of treatment retention at 30 and 90 days: 95.4 % vs 86.7 % (p = 0.001), and 82.7 % vs. 67.6 % (p < 0.001) than those receiving 16 mg, respectively. In a multivariable logistic regression controlling for demographic and drug use characteristics, odds of 30-day (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 3.98, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.92, 8.74, p < 0.001) and 90-day retention (AOR = 2.56, 95 % CI = 1.55, 4.22, p < 0.001) were greater among patients receiving >16 mg daily compared to 16 mg. ConclusionsIn this study examining patients with OUD in a low-threshold buprenorphine clinic, we observed higher rates of treatment retention with buprenorphine doses >16 mg.

School Reentry Plans for Students with Chronic Illness:

Students with chronic illnesses benefit from coordinated school reentry plans developed in conjunction with families, school personnel, and medical specialists. A systematic literature review was conducted to study school reentry plans that are specific to students with chronic illness. Five studies met inclusion criteria and were synthesized and analyzed based upon specific reentry characteristics as well as the overall impact transition plans had on student mental health and academics. Findings suggest that there is little standardization within reentry program research which leads to program variability. Nevertheless, findings also suggest that school reentry programs for students with chronic illness resulted in higher rates of school attendance as well as increased feelings of social connectiveness with their classmates. Further research within the area of hospital to school transition procedures for students with chronic illness is needed to establish practice guidelines within the medical and educational communities.

A Gender- Based and Trauma-Informed Approach to Incarceration

For decades, women's imprisonment rate has grown twice as high as men's. Enforcement of low-level drug charges and low-level, nonviolent offenses is one of the contributing factors to the increase. Literature indicates that incarcerated women tend to experience poly-victimization and adverse childhood experiences, which causes severe mental health issues and risk behaviors. These adverse experiences compound with the harsh environment of imprisonment that further post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSD) and depression. Incarceration of women disrupts family systems within their community and creates an influx within their child welfare system. There is a lack of gender-specific reentry programs for incarcerated women. Developing trauma-informed criminal justice practices that address the needs of incarcerated women is crucial to ending the abuse of the prison pipeline. The current research will address an economic empowerment model to address socioeconomic deprivation, poverty, and financial independence for incarcerated women. The researcher will discuss barriers and opportunities to address trauma and abuse in incarcerated women by assessing the feasibility and effectiveness of the reentry and community correction services and programs in Kansas. Policy recommendations will be provided to suggest reforms and campaign for change.

Italian Children’s Accounts of the Lockdown: Insights and Perspectives

COVID-19 lockdown-imposed restrictions emerged as a risk to children’s well-being. However, the extant literature often ignored children’s experiences, emotions, struggles, hopes, and expectations. Based on a large sample of Italian students (N = 906; mean age = 9.4 years, 48.8% female), we drew data from a post-lockdown school re-entry program where students completed narrative activities in 2020. These narratives underwent quantitative content analysis according to gender and school level. Overall, children reported mixed feelings about the lockdown; they felt safe at home but also experienced fear and missed their friends, school, and freedom. Screen-time, technology and friendships helped, but children struggled to make sense of the events. Our findings show how children attempted to make sense of the lockdown experience and may provide key information for the development of community coping programs to help children facing crises in the future.

Federal Policies and Mass Incarceration in America

In “the land of the free,” there are 1.6 million people incarcerated in prison or jail as of 2023 (World Prison Brief n.d.). The United States system of mass incarceration disproportionately impacts communities of color and inflicts personal, social, and economic harm on incarcerated individuals. This paper examines the history of previous federal policies and funding that influenced the criminal justice system and how these legislative actions resulted in the era of mass incarceration in the US. This paper concludes that allocating federal funding to support reentry programs, establish universal voting rights, and increase monitoring of reform efforts, along with a coordinated policy response from state lawmakers, will propel lasting change in the criminal justice system.

Policy Analysis Of Competence Development Of Civil Servants Through Education

The development of the competence of civil servants (PNS) is guaranteed in Law Number 5 of 2014. Technically this policy is regulated in the Circular Letter of the Minister of Administrative Reform and Bureaucratic Reform (MENPAN RB) Number 28 of 2021. This policy is a general policy, giving rise to challenges in its implementation for Ministries, Institutions, Local Governments (K/L/D), civil servants, and the State Civil Service Agency (BKN) or Menpan RB as regulators and implementers of education policies for civil servants. This research is a public policy analysis process, the analysis is carried out qualitatively with a scenario writing approach. The author is of the opinion that the existing policies still have aspects that need to be clarified by regulators, both Menpan RB and BKN and at the same time translated by K/L/D in their operational policies. Policy formulation offered: Strict acknowledgment of education for civil servants who completed their education before 1 year to become civil servants because they studied before being civil servants. The assignment of study assignments must be in line with the Human Resource Development Program and be carefully formulated, trimming the bureaucratic path for determining study assignments by integrating the release of temporary positions, and determining study assignment allowances for state lecturers. available data on legality and accreditation of study programs that can be chosen by civil servants. the accessibility of accredited study programs can be expanded by the availability of valid distance classes or weekend classes and temporary transfer of civil servants to other work units close to the study location. A measured period of study is required followed by a tightening of obligations. a policy from BKN or Menpan RB is needed regarding the model, time frame, and implementation of the re-entry program. The opportunity for recognition of PNS Degrees/Education Improvement is formulated by BKN to ensure legal certainty for the recognition of PNS titles. Expected implications Competence increases and legal certainty is met.

Secondary school re-entry programme of teenage mothers: views of stakeholders in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Increasing access to education through the re-entry policy for girls after school pregnancy could be seen in terms of bringing about social justice and equity in education, especially in developing countries, and enabling them to realise its benefits. This strong international and philosophical commitment is different from the traditional view of education as preparation for life roles. Therefore, implementing it in the African context might be expected to raise several problems, possibly resulting in a lack of commitment on the ground. The purpose of this study was to assess the views of stakeholders on the re-entry programme of teenage mothers into secondary schools in Unguja Urban-West district, Tanzania. The study used a mixed method approach and convergent mixed methods design. The study used a sample size of 160 participants, including teachers and parents. The findings revealed that stakeholders were sceptical of the success of this policy. Teenage mothers do not have enough time to complete their homework and to study at home because their relatives who take care of the babies want to be free of child chores the moment they are back at home. The babies also want attention from their mothers when they return from school. For effective implementation of school re-entry programme among teenage mother, schools should create an enabling learning environment that accommodates both the needs of teenage mothers and their children.

What they don’t know won’t hurt them? Linking children’s knowledge of parental incarceration to child well-being during reentry

BackgroundMass incarceration in the United States has resulted in a significant number of children experiencing parental incarceration, an experience that is tied to adverse child health. Providing children with developmentally appropriate information about parental incarceration has been found to contribute to improved well-being and attachment during incarceration; however, no work has examined how this information assists children after parents are released. This study aims to fill this gap by examining associations between children’s knowledge of parental incarceration and their socio-emotional well-being both during parents’ imprisonment and 6-months post-release. MethodsUsing data from 299 parents enrolled in a longitudinal project, this study assessed how what children were told about their parent’s incarceration influenced their internalizing and externalizing behaviors, as well as other behavioral health symptoms, across waves. ResultsFindings indicate that children were more likely to be given complete information about their parent’s incarceration when they were older, White, had incarcerated mothers (compared to fathers), and lived with the parent before they went to prison. There were fewer post-release behavior problems for younger children and boys when they were explicitly informed about their parent’s incarceration. ConclusionHeterogeneity in children’s outcomes was found both during and after parental incarceration dependent upon what they were told about the imprisonment, finding the most protective evidence for younger boys. Findings call for additional strategies to support families in having conversations about parental incarceration, expand contact opportunities, and offer family-focused reentry programming to help children with incarcerated parents thrive.

Jail-based reentry programming to support continued treatment with medications for opioid use disorder: Qualitative perspectives and experiences among jail staff in Massachusetts.

Individuals with opioid use disorder released to communities after incarceration experience an elevated risk for overdose death. Massachusetts is the first state to mandate county jails to deliver all FDA approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The present study considered perspectives around coordination of post-release care among jail staff engaged in MOUD programs focused on coordination of care to the community. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 61 jail staff involved in implementation of MOUD programs. Interview guide development, and coding and analysis of qualitative data were guided by the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) framework. Deductive and inductive approaches were used for coding and themes were organized using the EPIS. Salient themes in the inner context focused on the elements of reentry planning that influence coordination of post-release care including timing of initiation, staff knowledge about availability of MOUD in community settings, and internal collaborations. Findings on bridging factors highlighted the importance of interagency communication to follow pre-scheduled release dates and use of bridge scripts to minimize the gap in treatment during the transition. Use of navigators was an additional factor that influenced MOUD initiation and engagement in community settings. Outer context findings indicated partnerships with community providers and timely reinstatement of health insurance coverage as critical factors that influence coordination of post-release care. Coordination of MOUD post-release continuity of care requires training supporting staff in reentry planning as well as resources to enhance internal collaborations and bridging partnerships between in-jail MOUD programs and community MOUD providers. In addition, efforts to reduce systemic barriers related to unanticipated timing of release and reinstatement of health insurance coverage are needed to optimize seamless post-release care.

Primary and middle-school children's drawings of the lockdown in Italy.

This retrospective-descriptive study investigated how primary and middle-school children perceived the first COVID-19 lockdown in Italy (March-May 2020) as manifested in their drawings. Once school restarted after the first COVID-19 wave, and as part of a structured school re-entry program run in their class in September 2020, 900 Italian children aged 7-13 were asked to draw a moment of their life during the lockdown. The drawings were coded and quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed; several pictorial examples are illustrated in this article. Most children used colorful and full-body representations of the self, but in almost half of the pictures drawn by older students, the self was either missing or represented without the face visible. Most children drew the interior of their houses, and the outside world was completely invisible in over half of the pictures. The most represented activities among younger students were playing or sport, followed by screentime or technology-use. Domestic routines and distance learning were also depicted. Most children, but predominantly girls, drew characters showing emotional cohesion clues, and more younger pupils and girls depicted contentment as their main emotion. Conflicting emotions were virtually non-existent. Our data suggest that children coped with the lockdown through play, screen, and technology use. The high incidence of the missing self-representation in preadolescents could indicate how the enforced loneliness and lack of direct physical contact with others impacted their perception of the self. The findings presented here deepen our knowledge of the dynamics connected to the effects of the COVID crisis on children and young people and show how drawings can provide a valuable window into children's emotions and perceptions.

Promoting Adaptation in Female Inmates to Reduce Risk of Opioid Overdose Post-Release Through HOPE.

The purpose of the project was to develop a sustainable pre-release education program to reduce the risk of opioid overdose post-release in female inmates in a rural county jail in Middle Tennessee. The project was supported and guided using Roy's adaptation model. Content analysis resulted in common themes (initiation, moral failure, ineffective strategies, supportive environment, new beginnings, and adaptive domains), identified within the pre- and post-implementation surveys. The implementation of a successful reentry program for the vulnerable female incarcerated population has the potential to reduce the risk of opioid overdose death and negative health outcomes post-release.

Interprofessional and community engagement for evaluating and growing evidence-based criminal justice practice and policy.

People experiencing incarceration are often invisible to the public due to the restricted settings in which they reside and receive services. Limited access to criminal justice settings leaves policymakers and healthcare professionals with sparse information to understand the unique needs of this population. The unmet needs of justice-involved individuals are more likely observed by professionals who provide services in correctional settings. We provide three distinct examples of projects conducted within correctional settings and how they formed pathways to interdisciplinary research and community partnerships to address the unique health and social needs of incarcerated individuals. Our partnerships in a variety of correctional settings led to exploratory research of women and men's prepregnancy health needs, participatory workplace health interventions, and process evaluation of reentry programming. The limitations and challenges to research in correctional settings are considered along with the clinical and policy implications of these projects.

Reentry and recidivism: comparison of veterans and nonveterans in a 3-year state prison release cohort

In the United States, 95% of people incarcerated in prisons will eventually return to the community; however, almost half will be rearrested at least once in the first year after release. To better understand risk, need, and responsivity in order to develop reentry policy and programming, this brief report examines whether and how veterans and nonveterans leaving state prison differ on demographics, behavioral health needs, criminal history, and recidivism. Veterans compared to nonveterans leaving incarceration were older, more likely to be White, and more educated and needed more mental health treatment. Veterans had fewer drug offenses, but more sex offenses. Risk to recidivate was lower in veterans compared to nonveterans, yet there was no difference in measured 1-year recidivism. The Department of Veterans Affairs and community service providers may need to tailor programs to meet the differing needs of veterans versus nonveterans, while accounting for race.

The Cost of Recidivism: A Dynamic Systems Model to Evaluate the Benefits of a Restorative Reentry Program

Hawai‘i Friends of Restorative Justice has developed and implemented a reentry planning process to support incarcerated individuals as they prepare to reenter society. With 16 years of successful practice, research has shown that the program has many benefits, including reducing recidivism by 26 percent among recipients. In this paper, we use systems analysis to explore the long-term effects of a reduction in recidivism on the prison population and evaluate the economic and social benefits of such a program. The paper describes a simulation modeling method that quantifies the predicted effect of recidivism on the prison population, shows the net benefit of the reentry program, and demonstrates the usefulness of modern simulation tools in policy analysis of the criminal justice system. We calibrate the model with data on Hawai‘i state prisons. The model indicates that a 26 percent reduction in recidivism leads to a 17 percent reduction in the prison population over 15 years by reducing the number of recidivists in prison by 40 percent. Considering the marginal and average cost of imprisonment, the estimated benefits substantially outweigh the cost of the program with even the most conservative accounting of marginal costs.

Diverse Stories of Diversity: Expanding Perspectives on Underexplored Dimensions of Diversity

At the core of “creating a better world together” is being able to work side by side, acknowledging our differences and embracing the strengths and challenges of a diverse and inclusive workplace. Recent events have shown how important diversity and inclusion is to societies and organizations: one can still hear the voices echoing in the growing social movements related to #BlackLivesMatter, #TimesUp, #MeToo, and others reminding us that the work of diversity and inclusion is only beginning. Events in the last several years alone have forced organizations to rethink diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, leading in some cases to radical policy and practice changes. Our symposium has two goals: investigate differences in sources of diversity through a set of theoretical and empirical papers; and discussing the possible connections and overlaps between findings to push the boundaries of the diversity and inclusion literature. Ideal workers and ideal bodies: How workers in pain navigate stigma in an able-bodied workplace Presenter: Kimberly Rocheville; Creighton U. Presenter: Elana Feldman; UMass Lowell Understanding the experiences of formerly incarcerated jobseekers with employment reentry programs Presenter: Audrey Holm; Boston U. ‘Talking about my Generation’: Generational labels and Meaningful work Presenter: Gabriel Robert Sala; Boston College Presenter: Greg Fetzer; U. of Liverpool A Proud Struggle? Alternative Pathways to Professional Dignity Amidst Occupational Inequality Presenter: Tomi Koljonen; U. of Liverpool Presenter: Joona Koistinen; Aalto U. School of Business

A time to 'make amends and bring pieces together': Aphenomenological study of family experiences and considerations when a parent returns home from incarceration.

Nearly 1 in every 14 youth have had a parent incarcerated at some point. In any given year, over 9 million adults from jail and 700,000 adults from prison return to their families and communities. However, few studies have explored the family experiences during re-entry or have provided suggestions on how to best support children during this time. The goal of this qualitative study was to describe family experiences and provide their considerations on how to better support children during the period of parent's re-entry. Qualitative data was gathered from 26 participants using semi-structured, in-depth phone interviews from March to August 2020. The sample included 10 youth (12-18 years) who have had a parent incarcerated, 10 custodial caregivers of youth who have had incarcerated parents, and 6 parents released from incarceration. Qualitative content analysis and open-coding procedures were used to determine themes across raters. Experiences centred on the challenges of assimilating to new family roles upon the parent returning home and to the community. Families also shared the difficulty in navigating parole restrictions and managing fears surrounding the recidivism of the parent. Three primary themes were deduced as relationship-building obstacles, unaligned family expectations and parole-related family burdens. Results from this study revealed suggestions that may address youth, caregiver and returning parent's needs during the re-entry phase. Family counselling and peer support groups may improve the process of mending or forming relationships. Access to re-entry programs, mental health services, and parental education may better align family expectations. Transparent wrap-around social services and decreasing legal challenges may reduce the parole-related burdens on the family.