Describe the nature and discovery of the problem of reentry. Why are these components important for reentry programs and their implementation? What considerations need to be understood to relate re-entry as a public-policy concern?
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February 27, 2021 10:36:10 AM EST 2 days ago

Ryan Eagleson

Discussion Board 5 – Reentry

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     Cullen and Jonson (2017) describe the nature of the problems revolving around reentry in four separate components. First, they state that reentry has its roots in mass incarceration. It is well known that the United States incarcerates more people than any other nation, with a total of 2.2 million in custody, which is approximately 700 people in custody per 100,000 in each state (Chiao, 2015; Cullen & Jonson, 2017). Due to the high numbers of incarceration, there is a great influx of people who are released each year, which becomes problematic in and of itself. The second issue revolves around the fact that prisons also do not help an inmate’s criminality. Instead, it actually worsens criminality. The evidence behind this logic can be found in the astronomical recidivism rates. Third, there is a serious lack of offender treatment programs for inmates before and after their release. It only makes sense that if society wants to correct offenders, programs need to be established and carried out to help. Bosma et al. (2020) discuss that treatment programs focusing on the prevention of recidivism effectively prevented inmates who participated compared to those who did not. Lastly, prisoners face tough barriers when they are finally released. For example, most offenders, upon release, do not have jobs to support themselves. They often have to rely on family or friends to get by. Companies will often hire those with criminal records less than those who do not (Cullen & Jonson, 2017). These components have meaningful implications on how the United States correctional system can do better to help offenders stay out of prisons and lead better lives. 

     Cullen and Jonson (2017) argue that the issue needs to be discovered to place reentry into the public-policy forefront. In other words, the problems of reentry must first be sufficiently understood, defined well, and appropriately labeled. Claims regarding reentry problems need to be made, researched diligently, and discussed so policy-makers have the information to (hopefully) make better decisions. The hope is for more people to become entrenched into the idea of bettering a phenomenon [reentry] that has been present ever since the first prison opened up its doors. Unfortunately, this is far easier said than done, as to why the problem largely exists in society today. Many leaders within the correctional system all agree that the system is due to fail unless something substantial happens to the process. The Holy Bible discusses the concept of overcoming heavy obstacles, such as the problems of reentry, in the book of Romans, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (King James Bible, 1769/2021, Romans 12:21). 

References

Bosma, A. Q., Kunst, M. J., Dirkzwager, A. E., & Nieuwbeerta, P. (2020). Recidivism after a prison-based treatment program: A comparison between a treatment and control group using proportional weighting within strata. Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology, 6(1), 95–126.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-020-00139-3

Chiao, V. (2015). Mass incarceration and the theory of punishment. Criminal Law and Philosophy, 11(3), 431–452.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11572-015-9378-x

Cullen, F. T., & Jonson, C. L. (2017). Correctional theory (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.

King James Bible. (2021). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org (Original Work Published 1769)

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Discussion Board Five: Re-Entry 2

Discussion Board Five: Re-Entry

Justin Klipstein

Helms School of Government, Liberty University

Author Note

Justin Klipstein

I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.

Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to Justin Klipstein

Email:

jklipstein@liberty.edu

Discussion Board Five: Re-Entry

The “discovery” of the problem of re-entry can be likened to many problems that people have and do not yet know about. The problems associated with the re-entry of inmates into society have always existed and have always been a concern to those that it affected directly, however; it was not until the concern was made public that it truly existed in society. Cullen and Jonson (2017) state that the nature of the problem of re-entry is that it is essentially a public policy concern. This is due to four considerations. First and foremost, where public policy is concerned, re-entry is included with the problem of mass imprisonment. With the number of inmates increasing over time, release numbers will also follow, causing a problem that may have been stealthy at one time to suddenly become a concern. Second, since the United States Prison System is still operating under the assumption of “nothing works”, prison do not seem to be rehabilitating prisoners and they are returning to their neighborhoods much in the same state that they were in when they were imprisoned, thus increasing the concern of recidivism. Third, since there is little or no treatment available while inmates are in prison and after their release, re-entry becomes a battle that inmates must fight alone. Not only do inmates face rejection from their own neighborhoods, lack of employment opportunities, and little to no assistance with securing shelter, they also face the temptations that come with such a bleak outlook. Even then, there is not much assistance available with mental health and drug treatment programs. Related to the third concern, the fourth concern consists of the barriers faced by inmates upon release such as clothing and health care, leaving most of them to fend for themselves unless they are lucky enough to have friends or family that are willing to help them. Deirdre Caputo-Levine (2018) state that the former inmates are considered a class of their own, called “the precariat”. This class of people is stigmatized in several areas of society such as career-less jobs that make them unable to have a stable living thus not allowing them to be able to live in decent neighborhoods and condemning them to living in the slums around other form and current criminals.

           The four components of re-entry need to be addressed directly if there is any chance of success for the re-entry of any inmate into society. The issue of re-entry being linked to mass imprisonment is one element that will take time to address. As public policy shifts and the goal of reducing the number of prisoners is made a priority, more and more inmates will be released into society. This will require a substantial amount of money to be spent on programs. No only are rehabilitation and re-entry programs needed in prisons to assist inmates in making the transition, programs also need to be available to inmates post release in order to continue with the transition period. These not only include the continuance of programs to ease transition, but also assistance with health care and, if needed, substance abuse. Hanna et al. (2020) researched the possibility of establishing a program for mental and opioid abuse for prisoners in transition. They found increased risk factors among justice populations correctional facilities and deemed it necessary to establish programs specifically for those individuals.  Assistance is also needed to help inmates secure a job and living arrangements. Though temporary, this type of assistance can aid not only the inmates that are in transition but also businesses that require skills that these inmates may possess, such as work experience prior to incarceration or skills acquired through training programs provided in prison through rehabilitation.

           The current goal of reducing the number of imprisoned individuals nationwide will produce quite a large number of inmates transitioning back into society. This number will begin a downturn, in time, as the goal is met, however, the problem of transition will continue to exist and will continue to be a concern. Although the re-entry of inmates has been established as a public policy concern in association with mass imprisonment, in order for it to be fully understood as a public policy concern in and of itself, the public must understand that the smooth re-entry of inmates into society benefits not only the inmates, but society as well such as lack of employment opportunities, places to live, and health care.  Baz Dreisinger (2017) stated that Singapore made this concern public with an ad campaign as part of an effort to rehabilitate prisoners and prepare them for re-entry. They called it SCORE: “Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises” (p. 43). Through this campaign, they made the public aware of the concerns that the government had for prison re-entry and the programs designed to tackle that problem. With the support of the public, they were able to secure prisoners for work release through work coaches and human resources departments and, with public support, secured an employment rate of nearly 100 percent. They also let the public know about the failures, thus far, such as a lack of drug treatment. Through this program, the public was made aware of nearly every situation facing inmates and society.

           The Bible speaks about the importance of knowing good and evil. “And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” (King James Bible, 1769/1989, Genesis 3:22). God implanted each and every person with the ability to know what is wrong and what is right. If a person chooses to do evil, then they shall pay the price, however, they will eventually return and will need to be re-entered into society. Christianity dictates that they receive assistance in this and be accepted for who they are, regardless of what their past dictates. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2) It is up to each and every Christian to make sure that they receive all assistance available. Baz Dresinger (2017) stated that Christians in Singapore made this difference by beginning a halfway house for ex-addicts and ex-prisoners. Not only does it provide a place for them to live, they also provide them with training and skills. They make wooden furniture and are able to profit from the business.  Had it not been for a charitable organization that provided hope and a light at the end of the tunnel, these people that deserved a second change would more than likely not have stayed out of prison. Just because someone appears evil does not mean that they are.

References

Caputo-Levine, D. (July 2018). Learning to be a ‘Safe’ Ex-Con: Race, Symbolic Violence and Discipline in Prisoner Re-Entry. Contemporary Justice Review, 21(3), 233-253. DOI: 10.1080/10282580.2018.1487295.

Cullen, F. T. & Jonson, C. L. (Second Edition). (2017). Correctional Theory: Context and Consequences. Sage Publishing.

Dreisinger, B. (2017). Please Don’t Mind Our Tattoos. World Policy Journal, 34(2), 43-54. DOI: 10.1215/07402775-4191590.

Hanna, J., Kubiak, S., Pasman, E., Gaba, A., Andre, M., Smelson, D. & Pinals, D. A. (January 2020). Evaluating the Implementation of a Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative for Individuals with Opioid Use and Mental Health Disorders: Application of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research in a Cross-System Initiative. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 108, 104-114. DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2019.06.012

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King James Bible. (1989). Thomas Nelson Publishers. (Original Work Published 1769).