Former inmates face numerous challenges when re-entering society after being released from prison. The reentry process can be difficult for many reasons. One of the biggest challenges is finding stable housing and employment. Many former inmates struggle to find housing after release, as their criminal record makes it difficult to pass background checks for rental applications. They may also have to rely on expensive temporary housing options like homeless shelters or halfway houses at first. Securing long-term stable housing is an important part of successful reentry but can be an initial obstacle.
Employment is another major challenge. Having a criminal record significantly limits former inmates’ job prospects. Many employers will not consider applicants with felony convictions. Those who do disclose their record on applications may have their applications automatically rejected without consideration. Even employers who are willing to give former inmates a chance may be hesitant due to concerns about liability or public perception. Lack of work experience during incarceration and outdated job skills can also hamper employability. Without stable income from a job, it is difficult for former inmates to financially support themselves and avoid returning to criminal behaviors out of desperation.
Family and social relationships may also experience problems post-release. During incarceration, former inmates can grow distant from family and friends. Relationships may have deteriorated or been damaged by the crime and incarceration. Partners may have moved on romantically. Children may not know their incarcerated parent well anymore after years apart. Former inmates trying to rekindle family bonds face an emotional challenge in rebuilding trust and reconnecting. Isolation from pre-incarceration social circles and lack of a support system makes community reintegration an additional challenge.
Behavioral and mental health issues are another significant challenge. Rates of mental illness and substance abuse disorders are high within the criminal justice population. Incarceration does little to provide treatment and rehabilitation for these underlying problems in many cases. Upon release, former inmates still struggling with these issues are put at high risk for reoffending if their needs are not adequately addressed. Continuing treatment, counselling, and avoidance of substance use triggers are all immense challenges without community support resources.
Lack of identification documents like a driver’s license, state ID, birth certificate or Social Security card presents a logistical hurdle as well. These items may have been lost, expired, or confiscated during incarceration. Obtaining replacements requires time and fees that newly released individuals lack. Without valid photo ID, it is nearly impossible to open a bank account, apply for benefits, or take care of other basic post-release tasks. Bureaucracy delays in securing ID renewals can further protract the reentry process.
The impact of stigma also poses a significant societal challenge. Even after serving their sentence, many members of the community will continue viewing former inmates with distrust and labeling them as criminals. This stigma makes finding acceptance and belonging in the community an uphill battle characterized by prejudgment and rejection. Attempting to overcome a stigmatized identity and past mistakes is a difficult part of reintegration into law-abiding roles.
The challenge of environmental cues triggering past behaviors must be addressed. Areas with high crime rates or where an individual socialized criminally before incarceration present risks as reminders of past lifestyles. Avoiding people, places, and things tied to criminal thinking becomes a daily battle. Without alternatives, there is a real danger of slips or relapses back into old patterns of criminality due to unaddressed environmental factors. Developing new routines, interests, and social networks takes time and cognitive behavioral changes.
Successful reentry requires overcoming immense hurdles related to securing stable housing and employment, rebuilding family bonds and social supports, continuing medical and behavioral health treatment, obtaining essential documents, coping with pervasive stigma, and avoiding criminogenic people, places, and triggers. Comprehensive reentry programming and community support services are needed to help mitigate these challenges, but resources remain sorely lacking in many areas. Reducing recidivism necessitates a concerted societal effort to ease the reintegration process for former inmates.