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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 / [email protected]
o Anthony Reggi – Correctional Planner II (919) 716-3098 / [email protected]
o Monica L. Artis – Community Development Specialist (919) 716-3091 / [email protected]
o Vincent Gaddy – Community Development Specialist (919) 716-3096 / [email protected]
http://www.doc.state.nc.us/rap/OTS.htm
Contact Information
Nicole E. Sullivan, ManagerOffice of Research and Planning
[email protected](919)716-3080
