Re-entry Recap

A few of our recent blog posts written about supporting successful re-entry.

The stress of re-entry: The urgent need for social support.

Most participants in Grieb’s research talked about the lack of support available to them as they help their family member in reentry. “Not a single participant was able to name a program or support system available to the family members of individuals in reentry,” the researchers said. The formal support participants could think of were considered completely inadequate. Read the full article here.

Positive social support during re-entry from prison.

Reentry programs can help reduce recidivism, which decreases crime and makes communities safer. They help returning citizens find meaningful employment and follow a path to a better life. They provide support and counseling to individuals faced with substance abuse challenges by providing much needed care after release. Read the full article here.

Two ways peer re-entry specialists promote human flourishing.

Planning for reentry and community reintegration requires that formerly incarcerated adults take responsibility for finding stable housing and employment, mental health and substance use treatment, and transportation. “The majority of incarcerated adults are unsuccessful at connecting to such services” say researchers Gonzalez et al., (2019). Read the full article here.

Help or hindrance: Do peers raise or lower the odds of reoffending?

Social support may be one of the key influences on recidivism according to several researchers. Peer support and recidivism are connected, for better or worse. Read the full article here.

Ex-inmate wants to keep families connected.

It is well known that over 50% of released prisoners are re-incarcerated within three years of their release (Pettus-Davis et al., 2017). In this article, we want to discuss what a former inmate is doing to increase social support and increase well-being. Read the full article here.

Is social support the cure for recidivism?

Research consistently shows that positive social support “leads to improved mental health, physical health, and behavioral outcomes and reduces risk for incarceration” (Pettus-Davis et al., 2017). Social support increases resilience, transformation, and overall wellbeing. Read the full article here.

How to improve well-being of those who are incarcerated.

“Even after release, prisoners with previously reported or current mental illness are more likely to experience poor health outcomes, crime, and substance abuse” (Cutcher et al., 2014). Although most prison sentences are temporary, the poor health and mental wellbeing of prisoners adds to the existing health burden of the general population upon reintegration/release from prison and long after. Read the full article here.

How to prevent recidivism.

The process of previously convicted criminals reoffending and reentering the prison system is known as recidivism. “Without employment opportunities and bare necessities such as housing, food, or clothing, successful reentry into society seems nearly impossible for former prisoners.” Read the full article here.