Reincarcerated: The Experiences of Men Returning to Massachusetts Prisons

• NCJ Number: 222696
• Author(s): Lisa E. Brooks; Amy L. Solomon; Rhiana Kohl; Jenny W.L. Osborne; Jay Reid; Susan M. McDonald; Hollie Matthews Hoover
• Date Published: April 2008
• Length: 50 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2005-DB-BX-0014
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
• Corporate Author: Massachusetts Dept of Correction; The Urban Institute
• Sale Source: The Urban Institute
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Research report downloaded May 13, 2008.

Annotation

This study analyzed Massachusetts Department of Corrections (DOC) administrative data to determine the experiences and perceptions of former prisoners.

Abstract

Results indicated that upon release from prison certain individuals continue to be entrenched in substance abuse and criminal activity while challenged by basic needs, such as stable work, housing, and positive networks. Respondents reported that housing did not seem to be a major challenge and family was supportive for most; nearly half of the respondents lived with someone who had a drinking or drug problem, and almost 40 percent lived with someone who had served time in jail or prison. Substance abuse emerged as an enormous factor in respondents' return to prison, and respondents repeatedly referenced the challenge of finding stable employment with a livable income. Three quarters of respondents had some type of health insurance, yet despite this fact, respondents reported a high level of emergency room use. The average number of hours per week that respondents spent watching TV, doing nothing, or at bars and clubs suggested a lot of unstructured time that could be better utilized. Many respondents reported having engaged in criminal activity during their time in the community between incarcerations, and respondents on parole generally reported positive experiences under community supervision. The Massachusetts DOC and Parole Board have made substantial efforts to prepare prisoners for release and supervise and support them in the community. The survey results present information to better prepare prisoners for the realities of their release, including connections to tangible contacts and resources in their communities of return. Reentry strategies would also benefit from enhanced information sharing between DOC, parole, and community-based organizations that provide services and treatment. An increased and more strategically coordinated network of community-based interventions would give returning prisoners, supervision agencies, and family members additional tools to keep these highest risk individuals sober, employed, connected to family, and out of prison. Tables, figures