Do They Have A Fighting Chance: Life After Incarceration for Black Youth
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), around the year 2013, nearly 60,000 youth under age 18 were incarcerated in juvenile jails and prisons in the United States. Although currently the number of youth committed into juvenile facilities has decreased significantly, the matter of vast racial disparities amongst the youth who are committed, still remains. These youth, who are majority black or brown, are put into a system that portray itself as a form of rehabilitation — when in reality it debilitates their chances of pursuing a “normal” life and adjusting back into the world once they’re released.
For Black youths who were formerly incarcerated, the re-entry process can pose many challenges that can prohibit them from becoming a citizen who can contribute back to their community — especially for those who served time in prisons while under 18. Whether re-entry took place while they were a minor or after they became of age, the experience of serving said time impedes on their emotional, psychological and social development, which can have a negative effect on their post facility/prison success. Additionally, time served will also result in having a record and therefore the chances of them finding decent employment could potentially be limited.
In my search of trying to find sources that focused on the issue of juvenile incarceration and could provide insight on the issues which stem from it, I came across The Juvenile Justice Information Exchange (JJIE) publication — who covers these issues on a national level. The JJIE, states other hardships youths face upon re-entry is, the inability to obtain a driving license, qualify for public housing, government assistance (food stamps, etc.), apply for the military, etc.
The limited resources and many restrictions the government puts on those who were formerly incarcerated contributes to the disenfranchisement of black, brown and latinx people, by creating a cycle that perpetuates the “in-and-out of prison” scenario. If this is the case, it makes me wonder if there is a successful path to re-entry that avoids the potential risks of recidivism?
The National Institute of Justice defines recidivism as “[the measurement of] criminal acts that results in rearrests, reconviction or return to prison with or without a new sentence during a three-year period following a prisoner’s release.”
The high recidivism rate amongst young black people come to no surprise when taking into account the restrictions stated previously. When entering the juvenile system at such a young age, youth — whether still a minor or of age — tend to miss out on integral parts that will aid to their development as an adult. Upon leaving an institution that’s supposed to “rehabilitate” them, they instead come out to laws that further keeps them oppressed.
For instance, the inability to obtain a driving license. For starters, searching and securing employment after being released is difficult by itself, as most places of business won’t hire you if you have a criminal past. Now factoring in the restriction of not getting a driver’s license puts an individual at an even more disadvantage because their mobility is limited. If a person’s mobility is limited, it hinders them from applying to a well paying job that would accept their past, but would require them to travel.
Although some may suggest “take public transportation” as a means to rectify the issue, they fail to realize that public transportation may only be ideal depending on certain geographic locations. Even still, whether the job is close or far, that pay of it also determines if they can even afford the transportation on top of paying off their fees, in addition to their monthly rent. (halfway houses aren’t free).
As a result, supporting yourself financially would become difficult and therefore would lead to a lifestyle that consists of illicting drugs and other felony crimes that would allow you to be financially stable, but at the same time, place you back in jail.
In an interview done by the JJIE, Varvie Daughtry shares his story of being incarcerated as an adolescent and what life was like for him when he was finally released as an adult.
“I understand as a juvenile you make mistakes…But, they [incarcerate] you so early … they make you a menace to society, instead of actually putting [you] in … learning programs.”
Daughtry, who now promotes rehabilitating youth through physical and educational programs rather than incarceration in prison-like facilities, additionally spoke about how difficult it initially was for him to secure a job. In the interview, he stated despite how well his interview went, he was rejected by dozens of employers after checking his criminal record.
Daughtry’s story is a small insight on a large issue of how being incarcerated as a juvenile takes its toll on a person’s development, but most importantly, how difficult it could be to try to find your place in the world through the re-entry process.
As stated before, recidivism rates amongst Black men are the highest in comparison to others, but how often is that discussed? There are many ways this issue could be explored, especially through the lens of creative engagement. Crucial information can be introduced to people through many platforms that creative engagement offers, as a way to educate by making the delivery relatable. This could aid the awareness of how a demographic of people are targeted systemically through the criminal justice system — which contributes to the cycle of them coming out and going back in..
Although Daughtry’s story ended with him finding his way after being incarcerated and going through the re-entry process, the odds are not in the favor of most youth and young men who do.
This favor could be experienced by many more, if the laws that restrict those going through the re-entry process are reformed. Access to more opportunities post-facility/prison, could aid in the reduction of recidivism amongst this demographic of people.
