Book•
When Prisoners Come Home: Parole and Prisoner Reentry
01 Jan 2003-
TL;DR: In this paper, a profile of returning prisoners is presented, along with a discussion of the changing nature of Parole Supervision and Services, and the role of the victim's role in prisoner reentry.
Abstract: Preface 1. Introduction and Overview 2. Who's Coming Home? A Profile of Returning Prisoners 3. The Origins and Evolution of Modern Parole 4. The Changing Nature of Parole Supervision and Services 5. How We Help: Preparing Inmates for Release 6. How We Hinder: Legal and Practical Barriers to Reintegration 7. Revolving Door Justice: Inmate Release and Recidivism 8. The Victim's Role in Prisoner Reentry 9. What to Do? Reforming Parole and Reentry Practices 10. Conclusions: When Punitive Policies Backfire Afterword
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the identifi cation and classifier of risk in relation to prisoners released early under the Sentences (NI) Act, arguing that confl ict, post-confl ict and transitional conditions expose more starkly the political underpinnings of risk management strategy.
Abstract: Drawing on research in Northern Ireland into the process of release under the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, this article explores the identifi cation and classifi cation of risk in relation to prisoners released early under the Sentences (NI) Act. The main argument is that confl ict, post-confl ict and transitional conditions expose more starkly the political underpinnings of risk-management strategy and the article demonstrates the particular variant of Politicized Risk Assessment (PRA) recently used in the release of prisoners in Northern Ireland.
19 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, five evidence-based recommendations for reform are proposed: (1) juveniles should not be subjected to sex offender registration; (2) registration durations should be guided by risk assessment research; (3) procedures for relief and removal from registries should be available; (4) discretion should be returned to judges; (5) residence restrictions should be abolished.
Abstract: Sex offender registries, though popular, bring with them enormous fiscal costs and unintended consequences for offenders and communities. Consistent with the Grand Challenges, social workers can play a role in advocating for sex offender management policies that are better informed by evidence and thus a better use of resources. Registry reform would also mediate the stigma resulting from the sex offender label, and reduce barriers to offender reintegration. A brief history of registration laws and the research regarding their effectiveness will be provided, followed by a rationale for needed improvements in sex offender management policy. Five evidence-based recommendations for reform will be proposed: (1) juveniles should not be subjected to sex offender registration; (2) registration durations should be guided by risk assessment research; (3) procedures for relief and removal from registries should be available; (4) discretion should be returned to judges; (5) residence restrictions should be abolished. Such changes can result in improved public safety outcomes and social justice, as well as reduced fiscal and social costs.
18 citations
Cites background from "When Prisoners Come Home: Parole an..."
...The legacy of any felony conviction often includes employment obstacles, denial of public benefits, decreased educational opportunities, and disenfranchisement (Maruna et al., 2004; Petersilia, 2003; Pettus-Davis & Epperson, 2015; Uggen, Manza, & Behrens, 2004), but the unique label of "sex offender" can obstruct community re-entry even more profoundly....
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...…often includes employment obstacles, denial of public benefits, decreased educational opportunities, and disenfranchisement (Maruna et al., 2004; Petersilia, 2003; Pettus-Davis & Epperson, 2015; Uggen, Manza, & Behrens, 2004), but the unique label of "sex offender" can obstruct community…...
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...Ironically, housing instability is consistently associated with criminal recidivism and absconding (Petersilia, 2003; Roman & Travis, 2004; Schulenberg, 2007; Steiner, Makarios, & Travis, 2015), suggesting that housing restrictions may actually undermine the very purpose of registration laws and...
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...Ironically, housing instability is consistently associated with criminal recidivism and absconding (Petersilia, 2003; Roman & Travis, 2004; Schulenberg, 2007; Steiner, Makarios, & Travis, 2015), suggesting that housing restrictions may actually undermine the very purpose of registration laws and…...
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TL;DR: In the United States, almost seven million people are under correctional control, including 2.3 million held in the nation's jails, prisons, detention centers, and involuntary commitment facilities as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In the United States, almost seven million people are under correctional control. This includes 2.3 million held in the nation’s jails, prisons, detention centers, and involuntary commitment facilities. It also includes 4.5 million people in community corrections—3.7 million on probation and
18 citations
TL;DR: This paper developed a model of a Parole Board contemplating whether to grant parole release to a prisoner who has served their minimum sentence, which implies a simple outcome test for racial prejudice which is based on the released inmate's rate of recidivism.
Abstract: We develop a model of a Parole Board contemplating whether to grant parole release to a prisoner who has nished serving their minimum sentence. The model implies a simple outcome test for racial prejudice which is based on the released inmate’s rate of recidivism and is robust to the inframarginality problem. Our model has several testable implications which we show empirical support for. Applying our test to data on all prison releases in Pennsylvania between 1999-2003 we nd no evidence of racial prejudice.
18 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that reentry programs need to have the resources required to meet both the basic and treatment needs of people with serious mental illness leaving jail.
Abstract: In this study, I examined how people with serious mental illness defined and prioritized their service needs when released from jail and how these service priorities shaped the sequencing of help-seeking activities after their release. Data included ethnographic observations and interviews with the staff and clients of a mental health reentry program and responses to an open-ended questionnaire that was given to the program's clients (N = 115). Sixty-three percent of the clients identified housing and 35% identified financial assistance as one of their two most important service needs, whereas only 12% selected treatment services. These service priorities reflect a hierarchy in help-seeking activities postrelease in which clients' access to treatment services was predicated on their ability to first find sustainable economic and material support. I conclude that reentry programs need to have the resources required to meet both the basic and treatment needs of people with serious mental illness leaving jail.
18 citations