Prisoner Reentry in Perspective

Abstract

Contrary to the popular image that reentry is a wave of released prisoners about to enter society, the growth of the prisoner release population has leveled off, after the dramatic rise during the 1980s, and the wave has already hit. Inmates returning to society now may be more difficult to reintegrate than their predecessors, as they are more likely (1) to have failed at parole previously; (2) not to have participated in educational and vocational programs in prison; and (3) to have served longer sentences, which attenuate ties to families. A substantial proportion of returning prisoners, largely drug offenders, are likely to churn through the correctional system, going from prison to supervision to revocation and back to prison multiple times. Comparatively few neighborhoods in most large cities must accommodate the bulk of returning prisoners. Reentry should be considered in concert with sentencing policies and corrections practice that determine who goes to prison, how long they stay, and how prepared they are for reintegration.