NEW STUDY EXPLORES CONNECTIONS AMONG
HOMELESSNESS, INCARCERATION, AND RE-ENTRY
BALTIMORE – On Thursday, October 27, Health Care for the Homeless released “Still Serving Time,” a new study exploring the connections among homelessness, incarceration, and re-entry in Baltimore. The report, based upon surveys conducted with 429 very low-income Baltimore residents released from incarceration in Maryland within the past ten years, includes information on frequency of incarceration, history of homelessness, and experiences with re entry from both jail and prison.
Particular findings include:
- One-third of respondents reported experiencing homelessness prior to their most recent incarceration; however, this number almost doubled afterwards, with 63% of respondents unable to access stable housing within six months after release.
- One-third had been incarcerated for the first time prior to the age of 18 (33%), while another third were first incarcerated between the ages of 18 and 24 (35%). Those first incarcerated early in life were much more likely to spend more than ten years behind bars during their lifetimes.
- While incarcerated, education was available to 57% of those needing it, while job training was available to 42%. Health care services were also limited: drug treatment and mental health care was provided to 59% of those needing it, while medical care was received by less than two-thirds of those in need (62%).
- Among those experiencing homelessness at the time of survey, the most frequently cited barriers to stable housing included the inability to find work (57%) and a criminal record (56%).
- Factors respondents said would have prevented their incarceration included access to employment, housing and substance abuse treatment (61%, 56%, and 55%, respectively).
“Many people surveyed – particularly those experiencing homelessness – have gotten caught in a cycle of arrest, release, and re-arrest,” said Lisa Klingenmaier, an MSW-MPH student at the University of Maryland who worked with HCH on the research. “It is critical that we develop interventions that break this cycle.”
“Successful community re-entry is central to the goal of ending homelessness,” said Kevin Lindamood, President & CEO of Health Care for the Homeless. “It requires access to comprehensive health care, affordable housing, and a decent wage – along with public policies that promote a communitywide commitment to second chances.”
The report contains numerous policy recommendations that focus upon preventing incarceration, providing better services while individuals are behind bars, and facilitating better re-entry processes. Several of these recommendations will be part of legislative proposals during the Maryland General Assembly Session starting in January 2012.
Learn more:
Download the full Re-Entry Report
Download the Re-Entry Report Policy Brief
Download a PowerPoint Presentation on the report
For additional information on the study, please contact Adam Schneider, Community Relations Coordinator, at 443-703-1398 or 410-215-8319 or aschneider@hchmd.org.
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http://www.nhchc.org/mobilizer.html
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