Housing: A Significant Reentry Barrier Nicole E. Sullivan NC Department of Correction Office of...

Housing: A Significant Reentry

Barrier

Nicole E. SullivanNC Department of Correction

Office of Research and Planning

The Situation…Nationally

More than 2 million offenders are incarcerated in the U.S.

One out of every 112 men and one in every 1,724 women are incarcerated in state or federal prison

96% of offenders in prison will eventually leave and return to their communities

Current Offender Population in NCAs of October 13, 2009Prison Inmates – 40,948

Male Inmates 37,873Female Inmates

3,075Probationers – 110,505Parolees - 3,145

Total 154,598

o Prison Releases:o 2006 – 2007 = 26,986o 2007 – 2008 = 27,637o 2008 – 2009 = 28,860

86% released without

supervision

Homelessness: The Unsung Reentry Problem

Estimated 30 to 50 percent of formerly incarcerated become homeless in urban areas

It is estimated that 25 to 50 percent reside in emergency shelters

Housing & Reintegration

A key component of successful reentry planning is securing housing prior to an offender's release in order to prevent homelessness. Research suggests that reducing homelessness helps reduce recidivism and contributes to public safety.

Categories of Housing Needs

Individuals with childrenIndividuals who are able-bodied and

employableShort-term housing assistance needed

Individuals with limited employment history and educational achievementVarying degrees of housing assistance needed

Individuals with disabilities (e.g., mental illness, chronic disease, or substance abuse)Long-term housing assistance needed

Barriers to Housing for Released OffendersFamily members fear them or will only

assist on short-term basisLack of funds to pay deposits and/or

monthly rental or lease paymentsExclusion from public housing (drug

offenses, sex offenses)Supportive housing programs often lack

staff trained to work with offender population

Discharge planning not focused on long-term housing as a primary need

Barriers to Housing for Released Offenders

Homeless shelters cannot accept offenders directly from prison

Lack of transportation to seek housing outside of urban areas

Supervision restrictions on where to live

Limited number of beds available in transitional housing

Community fear and lack of education regarding needs

How can communities assist the formerly incarcerated with housing?

Begin working with offenders and DOC prior to release

Involve faith initiatives to provide services and support such as mentoring and family services

Develop networks of local volunteers and community-based organizations in reentry initiatives

Create/build supportive networks that will assist with specific needs such as mental health, substance abuse, family reunification, and employment

NCDOC Housing Efforts to DateGoing Home Initiative provided the

following:Regional housing workshops designed to

provide information and housing strategies to community partners

Limited rental assistance (direct payments to landlords in lieu of deposits)

Identified housing providers willing to serve offenders due to post-release supervision and/or reentry program participation and support

Creating a Paradigm of In-ReachPost-Release housing providers must

establish relationships with correctional agencies to understand the needs of offenders

Understanding the parameters in which correctional agencies must workInformation sharingTransfersDisciplinary actionsChanges in release datesLimited space for meetingsFlexible meeting schedules with correctional

staff

Choosing a Housing ParadigmMany factors must be considered

when choosing a housing paradigmStructureScale of ProgramTarget Population LocationOutcomes

Importance of this Housing Discussion

NC DOC does not have a funding stream to provide housing for released offenders

NC DOC receives numerous inquiries annually from community partners requesting guidance on developing reentry housing

Public relations concerns (NIMBY, etc)Governor’s StreetSafe Task Force –

recommendations for reentry housing

Office of Transition Services (OTS)Created in September 2007 to coordinate reentry activities

internally and externally for the NCDOC

o Roshanna S. Parker – Research & Evaluation Analyst(919) 716-3089 / rparker@doc.state.nc.us

o Anthony Reggi – Correctional Planner II (919) 716-3098 / treggi@doc.state.nc.us

o Monica L. Artis – Community Development Specialist (919) 716-3091 / martis@doc.state.nc.us

o Vincent Gaddy – Community Development Specialist (919) 716-3096 / vgaddy@doc.state.nc.us

http://www.doc.state.nc.us/rap/OTS.htm

Contact Information

Nicole E. Sullivan, ManagerOffice of Research and Planning

nsullivan@doc.state.nc.us(919)716-3080