NCJ Number
198301
Date Published
2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on the findings of a 2001 British survey of 2,011 inmates in the last 3 weeks of their sentence regarding their expectations concerning employment, training, and housing after release.
Abstract
The primary aim of the survey was to identify the proportion of inmates who expected to have employment or training soon after release. Information on related factors pertained to previous employment, work qualifications, housing plans, and activities in prison. The survey found that 24 percent of the respondents stated they had a paying job arranged upon release. An additional 6 percent reported they had a training or education plan arranged. Fewer female inmates said they expected to enter jobs upon release (9 percent). This was partly because a higher proportion stated they were not looking for work, since they would be managing a home or family or had a long-term illness or disability. Nearly 47 percent of the sample indicated they had attended education classes in prison, and 38 percent had worked in the prison workshops. Two-thirds (67 percent) of the inmates said they had accommodations arranged immediately upon release. Females were less likely to make this statement; 59 percent of all females compared with 77 percent of young males and 66 percent of adult males stated they had accommodations arranged in the community upon release. Of those who provided an address for accommodations after release, 67 percent were returning to the housing they had before being imprisoned. Of those who had no accommodation arranged upon release, 71 percent had not received any help in finding housing. Factors found to be related to better chances for employment on release were having stable accommodations, having work-related qualifications, not having a drug problem, and receiving help and advice on finding employment. 3 figures, 1 table, and 4 references