NCJ Number
222743
Date Published
January 2006
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from interviews of male prisoners prior to their release from Ohio prisons and their return to Cuyahoga County from a multistate research project (Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas) to better understand the reentry experiences of returning prisoners, their families, and their communities.
Abstract
Highlights of key findings include: (1) most prisoners returning to the Cleveland area had extensive criminal histories, with 65 percent having served more than one prison term and 39 percent most recently serving time because of a supervision violation; (2) one-third of prisoners participated in classes or training, with almost one in seven earning a GED; (3) about two-thirds of prisoners were legally employed before their prison term, but 53 percent also reported income from illegal sources, and only 22 percent had a job lined up after release; (4) the majority of prisoners felt close to their family during their prison stay; 70 percent expected to live with their family after release, and almost half expected that family would be a source of financial support; and (5) most prisoners were optimistic about the future, with 77 percent saying that it would be easy to stay out of prison and avoid a parole violation. Returning Home is a multistate, longitudinal study designed not only to contribute to the knowledge base about the pathways and implications of reentry, but also to facilitate policy discussions. A statistical snapshot of 424 male prisoners returning to Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, based on interviews conducted before release indicates that these individuals are at high risk of various obstacles that may hinder their successful reintegration. Research findings from the Ohio Returning Home prerelease survey are presented, along with policy implications. Figures, table, and notes