NCJ Number
206135
Journal
Criminology and Public Policy Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2004 Pages: 139-160
Date Published
March 2004
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study examined the incidence of and links between homeless shelter use and reincarceration among a cohort of 48,424 persons who were released from New York State prisons to New York City in 1995-1998.
Abstract
Study data came from administrative databases that are maintained by the New York City Department of Homeless Services and the New York State Department of Correctional Services (DOCS). The DOCS database used for the study was a combination of elements from the prison use and criminal history data set, and it contained information on each individual's demographic characteristics, the index prison episode, and entry into and release from prison; charges related to the prison episode; type of release; and previous or subsequent prison episodes and arrests. Data on shelter use, both before and after the release date, were appended to the individual's DOCS record. The findings show that within 2 years of release, 11.4 percent of the study group entered a New York City homeless shelter, and 32.8 percent of this group was reincarcerated. Using survival analysis methods, time since prison release and history of residential instability were the most salient risk factors related to shelter use, and shelter use increased the risk of subsequent reincarceration. Homelessness and reincarceration were thus found to be substantial problems among a population of released inmates. This suggests that enhanced housing and related services provided for a relatively small at-risk group can substantially reduce the overall risk for homelessness. 4 tables and 56 references