Good evening,

The discussion section is the “meat and potatoes” of the paper. It shouldn’t contain personal knowledge, experience, or opinion from the author. Do not use case studies , no charts, or diagrams. Material must be paraphrased and provided a citation. This section must have 3-4 pages for each factor and must included scholarly articles.  The paper must be referenced in 7th edition APA. The paper must include a conclusion ( V) which is nothing more than a brief statement of the best possible solution or solutions which you have described in the discussion section( 1 page). The action recommended ( 2 pages) which is where you will tell what the final recommendation is and include several steps that must be done in support of your action recommended, including a time frame for possible action steps, and a budget if appropriate. Must be a total of 14 -16 pages excluding the cover page, the problem, and the factors. 

OBSTACLES FOR OFFENDERS REENTRY 1

OBSTACLES FOR OFFENDERS REENTRY BACK INTO SOCIETY 15

Obstacles for Offender’s Reentry Into Society

I. The Problem

There is a major concern, among criminal justice professionals, in regard, to the unsuccessful reentry of inmates into civilian life after incarceration which leads to high rates of recidivism. The unsuccessful reentry is due largely to the stigma, inability to obtain gainful employment with a felony criminal record, a lack of marketable skills, and the collateral consequences. It makes an offender think about how they truly define themselves as a person in society

II. Factors Bearing on The Problem

It is important to understand the factors that lead towards offenders that have obstacles when reentering society. Offenders that have been released from prison usually have a hard time adjusting and being a productive citizen.

• There is a lack of a strong family support system; prisoners rely heavily on their families to get support and to come back into society as a need of virtual reintegration. The stronger the relationship with the family when the prisoner is released, it is essential towards the prisoner’s character development with making the prisoner have a new experience of the family against the prison experience.

• Most employers do not hire people with a criminal conviction. because an employer doesn’t want an ex- prisoner’s behavior to affect the business. Ex- prisoners who are able to get higher paying jobs are more apt to change in their lives compared to those prisoners who do not find adequate job opportunities in society.

• There is a lack of vocational rehabilitation opportunities in the prison systems. The prison systems need to offer vocational training official to administer pre-employment services to that works as a guide towards development.

• A lack of basic subsistence assistance contributes to recidivism. Many states have banned those with felony convictions from benefits such as food stamps, TANF, SSI, and residence in public housing, either permanently or temporarily. Rules that bar those with a felony record from public and subsidized housing may limit residence with friends and family as well and increase the likelihood of homelessness.

It is assumed that if the prisoners are transitioning from prison into society, the prison system have to focus on providing services to the prisoner. It is assumed that the reentry process should help prisoners with the survival needs (food, housing, and employment) and skill- based services (treatment, literacy, and job training).

III. Discussion

Prisoners rely heavily on their families to be able to get the support; they need to be able to renter society in regard to every respect that will suit their need of virtual reintegration (Gideon, 2010). Prisoners need the overall encouragement, employment opportunities, shelter and any financial support, so that they feel welcomed back into the society when such interventions are met towards their experience. The stronger the relationship in the family when the prisoner is released its essential towards character development and also making the prisoner have a new experience of the family against the prison experience (Gunnison & Helfgott , 2013).

When prisoners are released, they are at high risk of failing in securing job opportunities and attaining reasonable economic security. The challenges that are faced by prisoners while trying to accept their behavioral aspects needs much consideration by ensuring that they receive public assistance and achieving financial security (Gideon & Sung, 2010). The “reintegration perspective” focuses on social and economic reintegration after release (Travis, 2004). This perspective emphasizes entering the labor market and repairing and renewing ties to family and community (Travis, 2004). In addition, this perspective focuses on helping renew family ties due to ex-prisoner’s lengthy time in prison. For the most part, the family needs to do a pre-release attendance to the prisoner’s respondents to culminate a positive expectation from the society after release (Hattery & Smith., 2010).

Supportive families after the release of the prisoners makes the reintegration process much better and more straightforward in achieving the goal of the reentry process. As society looks into the reintegration perspective, it focuses on how an ex- prisoners can use this perspective to help with social and economic reintegration and to help build social relationships among society. When both male and female inmates are released from prison, they feel complimented when society understands them, changing their emotional aspect. Furthermore, it’s the duty of respective family members to ensure their family members receive family support both in and out of prison. Higher value and attention may be realized in the life of the prisoner even better than when they were incarcerated with adequate support. Thus, the family is an essential factor towards influencing the process of reentry (Hattery & Smith, 2010). Facing a challenging environment makes many prisoners released in prison in the United States deter from the process of becoming more actively involved in the society. The livelihood, social connections, and residence of the prisoner make them get more interconnected with the society through such aspects (Travis, 2004).

In American society, people go in and out of prisons which has contributed to increasing inequality in recent decades, primarily by reducing opportunities for employment and lowering wages among former prisoners, but also by decreasing the prevalence of two-parent families (Western 2007).Psychological support of the prisoner upon release benefits in the process of having a polite society that will provide an excellent crime prevention background even when the prisoners are faced with life cycle problems. Effective interventions effectively make prisoners have a further constituent commitment in the society. Thus, an effective plan to integrate the prisoner and the community is to have the family be the initial factor to influence character and behavioral change of the prisoner (Gideon., 2010).

When prisoners are released, there is a higher percentage of prisoners, who come back into the society and receive federal correctional programs such as employment fail to maintain the process. After being released they encounter the challenge of securing jobs and employment opportunities. Society has the tendency to employ persons with no criminal history because an employer doesn’t want an ex- prisoner behavior to affect the business (Gunnison & Helfgott , 2013). Additionally, social factors of which include, lack of family support, poor employment history, and also negative peer influence result prisoners not being accepted back into the society and in not being able to secure employment.

Prisoners who are able to acquire legitimate jobs are less likely to face the challenge of recidivism. Ex- prisoners who are able to get higher paying jobs are more likely to have a change in their lives compared to those prisoners who do not find l good job opportunities in the society (Cole , et.al.2018).

The prisoners after being released from prison through employment will have a great influencing of maintaining employment opportunities. Therefore, it’s possible that the prisoner will avoid re-arrest when the society accepts factors like; stable accommodations and lack of substance battered associated problems. Also, it’s identified that prisoners need to have an influenced life in which they will have their respective needs identified and met with even specific services that they require in their life. Being the most essential factor, employment opportunities, GED accreditations, job training and also job vocational educations will aid in the process of reentry (Gideon & Sung 2010).

Additionally, cases of recidivism have significantly reduced as the offenders get legitimate employment opportunities upon release. Participating in employment services also assists them to be able to receive friends who are able to guide them through the principle of responsibility in abiding the law. In addition, society needs to let ex- prisoners receive life training lessons randomly in aid of boosting the worker’s egocentrism towards facing life-challenging influences (Gideon & Sung 2010). Such opportunities make it possible to have a more timely intervention program that helps the prisoner make change. Legitimate job opportunities play a vital role to seamlessly have a good integration program that re-vitalizes the character development process. It’s hard for the prisoner to have a change in life when they are influenced back to crime through employees who accept to have the same crime related behaviors such as the use of drugs at the workplace and also smuggling of products from worksites (Gideon & Sung 2010).

Within the prison system there needs to be employment-related services readily made available to the prisoners upon the time that they get to work until they are released from prison. (source) Such intervention, makes the prisoners adequately prepare d in their skills ,even when jailed, to improve their ability before being released into the community once again. Vocational assessments are essential towards having a plan that basically revitalizes skill developments. The future employment is constituent in readiness to train the prisoner early and also to have a series of benchmarks that aid in the program of character skill development (Cole, et., 2018).

It’s more beneficial for prisoner’s post-release necessities through the pre-release procedures put in place at the prison before release (Hattery A. & Smith E., 2010). Therefore, it is essential to make employment easy for the prisoner then after release to embark in the process acceptance into the society. Positive influences will be realized when we have a concrete and offenders get back to the process of securing jobs at the employment sites (Gunnison E.& Helfgott J. B, 2013).

When a prisoner is released they rely heavily on living with their parents and siblings due to their criminal history. Many states have banned those with felony convictions from benefits such as food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and residence in public housing, either permanently or temporarily (Travis, 2004). Rules that bar those with a felony record from public and subsidized housing may limit residence with friends and family as well, and increase the likelihood of homelessness (Travis, 2004). Ex- prisoners upon release tend to be closer to the mother than the father. Having contact with the mother provides a sense of responsibility as mums always support their children despite any negative aspects of their lives compared to fathers with a higher margin (Gunnison E. & Helfgott J. B, 2013). Ex – prisoners typically don’t have any money, need emotional support, and good advice can only be found in the family better than the society. Moreover, when the family makes frequent visits to the prison, it’s more likely the prisoner to be more attached to them even when they have been released. (Source)

Most families become worried about their family member being sent back into prison, and after their sentence, they strive for the success of their member. Making the family become more comfortable is always essential for the criminals to pay back the time they spent away from the family when they were in prison. Upon being jailed it’s easier for the family to face health problems especially if a family member is stressed up and get information that the family members are incarcerated. The emotional stresses make them contract sickness like stroke when they are provided with messages about their child’s arrest (Cole., et. 2018),

Most children always need to have their parents in their life and also to stay at home to avoid being subjected back to prison. It’s evident that most family members become more worried to have their counterparts fall into the same problem that submitted them to be jailed (Cole, 2018). Therefore, especially when the prisoner has released the family and siblings will always keep track of the offenders dealing and daily movements. Upon exiting the houses, the family will still have unanswered questions pertaining to their family members who cannot get proper housing; especially makes the prisoner become more concerned. Being with the family and living with them is an initiative that makes the prisoner abstain from bad companies that will influence them back into crime related issues. Probation plays an integral role of abstaining from drugs, and the likelihood of getting back into prison (Cole., et. 2018).

Due to the ex- prisoner’s status, they may be put on a higher priority than most by their parole officer or their probation officer. Having a poor credit status in the past can be influenced when the family is involved in the process. A natural step can be made in which the family member is given priority to have the house and lease it back to the prisoner as a family initiative. Therefore, it’s more likely when the prisoner gets housing back in the poor and unsuitable environment they will reflect back to living in prison. Thus, the housing situation makes them live in environments that need to be upgrade back and have the members receive a better good life later. Transitioning with the help of the family becomes more beneficial in understanding the prisoner and also to keep track of the behaviors that may develop even after the release of the prisoner. It’s important for the family to adjust on the adapting to family members despite the negative characters of the family member (Gideon., 2010).

In some cases, ex- prisoners may commit another crime within months of release. Thus, imprisonment always breaks the ties between the family and the community. Therefore, parole supervision is initiated towards prisoners so that they can be supervised out from the normal duty to stay at the prison but rather be released in the society (Reamer, 2017). Parole supervision may constitute the prisoner to be taken back to jail due to the constant parole supervision. When conditions have been administered to the prisoner before being released back into the society, prisoners always vow to stay by the rules and conditions given at the prison.

Parole investigations make prisoner imprison themselves back due to a feeling that they are subjected to harsh conditions. Despite the fact that prisoners accept to undergo parole supervision and requirements, it’s evident that some fail to abide by the rules set and end up facing imprisoned (Reamer, 2017). Being discharged on parole and overseeing judgments to detainee’s dependent on the offense done influences detainees to choose to depend without anyone else mind knowledge to live. In this manner amusingly, the parolee needs to comply with the terms and standards set while being discharged out of jail. Before the parolee reenters into the general public, they have to demonstrate their honesty by maintaining the conditions set to indicate they will follow the law even after discharge.

Depending on the violation made by the prisoner before the arrest, the conditions set by the parole board or any officer associated with their release. Thus, the prisoner is required to comply with all laws enacted by the state and federal governments. Upon being released on parole, the prisoner is needed to stay by the state of his/her incarceration (Craig, et., 2013). Furthermore, this is part of the requirement, having steady employment and also maintaining their educational track needs them too to make any reports to the parole officer on the progress. Abstaining from any drug substances, changing of address, and possession of firearms should always be a report made to the parole officer (Craig, et., 2013).

As part of violating the parole conditions, the parolee should be subjected to reincarnation due to their consequence. Thus, the ex- prisoner will face new charge proceedings in regard to offenses done after the parole was issued. Therefore, parole officers have a great responsibility to ensure that the parolee stays by the conditions and also when the parolee commits any crime he/she decides on what will happen to the parolee upon arrest. Any evidence presented upon him or her needs to be heard and also charges be based on the offense or crime committed (Reamer, 2017).

References

Craig L. Dixon L. Gannon T. (2013). What Works in Offender Rehabilitation: An Evidence Based Approach to Assessment and Treatment. Hoboken, Wiley.

This comprehensive volume summarizes the contemporary evidence base for offender assessment and rehabilitation, evaluating commonly used assessment frameworks and intervention strategies in a complete guide to best practice when working with a variety of offenders. In addition, it presents an up-to-date review of ‘what works ‘in offer assessment and rehabilitation, along with discussion of contemporary attitudes and translating theory into practice. Furthermore, includes assessment and treatment for different offender types across a range of settings.

Cole G. Smith C. E. DeJong C. (2018). The American System of Criminal Justice. Cengage Learning.

This examines the criminal justice across several disciplines, presenting elements from criminology, sociology, law, history, psychology, and political science. Broad coverage of the facts, uncompromising scholarship, an engaging writing style, and compelling delivery of current events make the American System of Criminal Justice, now in its 14th Edition, one of the best books available for an in-depth look at the American criminal justice system.

Reamer F. G. (2017) On the Parole Board: Reflections on Crime, Punishment, Redemption and Justice. New York: Columbia University Press.

Frederic G. Reamer, the author has judged the fates of thousands of inmates within his twenty-four years on the Rhode Island Parole Board. Mr. Reamer decides which inmates are ready to reenter society and which are not. It is a complicated choice that balances injury to victims and their families against an offender’s capacity for transformation.

Gunnison E. Helfgott J. B. (2013). Offender Reentry: Beyond Crime and Punishment. Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers.

Within this book the authors focus on the comprehensive exploration of the core issues surrounding offender reentry. Elaine Gunnison is a professor of Criminal Justice at Seattle University as well as Jacqueline Helfgott. These authors highlight the constant tension between policies meant to ensure smooth reintegration and the social forces—especially the stigma of a criminal record—that can prevent it from happening. In addition, these authors focus on the factors that enhance reentry success as they address challenges related to race, class, and gender.

Gideon L. Sung H. (2010) Rethinking Corrections: Rehabilitation, Reentry and Rehabilitation. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

These authors write about the challenges that convicted offenders face over the course of the rehabilitation, reentry, and reintegration process. Using an integrated, theoretical approach, each chapter is devoted to a corrections topic and incorporates original evidence-based concepts, research, and policy from experts in the field, and examines how correctional practices are being managed.

Hattery A. Smith E. (2010). Prisoner Reentry and Social Capital: the Long Road to Reintegration. Lanham, Md: Lexington Books.

Earl Smith is professor of sociology and the Rubin Distinguished Professor of American Ethnic Studies at Wake Forest University. Angela J. Hattery is professor of sociology at Wake Forest University. Prisoner Re-entry and Social Capital takes as its starting point interviews with twenty-five men and women during the summer of 2008 about their experiences with re-entering the ‘free world’ after a period of incarceration. By analyzing the experiences of these men and women, Smith and Hattery look in depth at the factors that inhibit successful re-entry and illustrate some successes and failures.

Travis J. Reentry and reintegration: New perspectives on the challenges of mass incarceration. In: Patillo M, Weiman DF, Western B, editors. Imprisoning America: The social effects of mass incarceration. 2004. pp. 247–268.

In this article, they review the existing problems that are faced with mass incarceration. The article provides an overview of the prison boom and its attendant consequences. In addition, the article reviews the literature on the effects of incarceration and prisoner reentry on the communities from which prisoners are removed and to which they return after release, followed by a review of the literature on how neighborhood context affects the process of prisoner reentry.

Western B. Punishment and Inequality in America. New York: Russell Sage; 2007.

Bruce Western is a professor of Sociology at Princeton University. The author focuses on the recent explosion of imprisonment and the heavy costs on American society and exacerbating inequality. In addition, this book focuses on the profiles about the growth in incarceration came about and the toll it is taking on the social and economic fabric of many American communities.

OBSTACLES FOR OFFENDERS REENTRY 1

OBSTACLES FOR OFFENDERS REENTRY BACK INTO SOCIETY 15

Obstacles for Offender’s Reentry into Society

Luv Dean

Saint Leo University

I. The Problem

There is a major concern, among criminal justice professionals, in regard, to the unsuccessful reentry of inmates into civilian life after incarceration which leads to high rates of recidivism. The unsuccessful reentry is due largely to the stigma, inability to obtain gainful employment with a felony criminal record, a lack of marketable skills, and the collateral consequences. It makes an offender think about how they truly define themselves as a person in society

II. Factors Bearing on The Problem Comment by Butch Beach: On the task bar use the drop menu on the spacing icon and select remove space after paragraph to get double spacing when using the enter key.

It is important to understand the factors that lead towards offenders that have obstacles when reentering society. Offenders that have been released from prison usually have a hard time adjusting and being a productive citizen. Comment by Butch Beach: Eliminate the extra space; double space only

• There is a lack of a strong family support system; prisoners rely heavily on their families to get support and to come back into society as a need of virtual reintegration. The stronger the relationship with the family when the prisoner is released, it is essential towards the prisoner’s character development with making the prisoner have a new experience of the family against the prison experience. Comment by Butch Beach: The factors should be presented as bullets..

• Most employers do not hire people with a criminal conviction. because an employer doesn’t want an ex- prisoner’s behavior to affect the business. Ex- prisoners who are able to get higher paying jobs are more apt to change in their lives compared to those prisoners who do not find adequate job opportunities in society.

• There is a lack of vocational rehabilitation opportunities in the prison systems. The prison systems need to offer vocational training official to administer pre-employment services to that works as a guide towards development.

• A lack of basic subsistence assistance contributes to recidivism. Many states have banned those with felony convictions from benefits such as food stamps, TANF, SSI, and residence in public housing, either permanently or temporarily. Rules that bar those with a felony record from public and subsidized housing may limit residence with friends and family as well and increase the likelihood of homelessness.

It is assumed that if the prisoners are transitioning from prison into society, the prison system have to focus on providing services to the prisoner. It is assumed that the reentry process should help prisoners with the survival needs (food, housing, and employment) and skill- based services (treatment, literacy, and job training).

III. Discussion

Offenders rely heavily on their families to be able to get the support; they needed to be able to reenter into society in regard to every respect that will suit their need of virtual reintegration (Gideon, 2010). Offenders need the overall encouragement, employment opportunities, shelter and any financial support, so that they feel welcomed back into the society when such interventions are met towards their experience. The stronger the relationship in the family when the prisoner is released its essential towards character development and also making the offender have a new experience of the family against the prison experience (Gunnison & Helfgott, 2013). At this moment considering all the factors it is important to understand how incarceration affects the family and also at the same time understand what incarcerations means to the inmate as serving the sentence is just part of the whole experience. When offenders are being held it affects the families, like it creates a single-parent family if the other partner will be incarcerated for some time. While such a dynamic can only be maintained if the two partners work and continue to build the family relationships as it has been established that more families develop better relationships with the family members in jail.(source)

That might be the case, t The opposite might happen whereby the inmate might does not have no any one to confide in, especially in family members. Maybe because they had a bad relationship before going to prison, or the family resents the offender because they got themselves into prison. These are the dynamics that need to be considered when looking at how family relationships might help in improving reentry into the society. Mainly because if an offender truly has something to go back to, like going to raise their child/children or going back to his family because they missed them and strive to put in proper behavior to make sure that they do not go back to prison. Additionally, family will help the offender reenter back into the society smoothly through various activities like going to church and meeting different people in the congregation, who might give the recommendation for new jobs or hire them. The main reason family has been emphasized is because the reentry is getting back and fitting into the community, and in this case, it is safe to say that family is the basic unit of the society or community. If an offender wants to be reconnected with society, they can reconnect through the community. As mentioned before religion will play an important role, the family friends, the friends and the community at large, will assist in the reentry. Comment by Butch Beach: Luv personal opinions and thoughts are not allowed; you will need to cite the source for all of this…

When offenders are released, they are at high risk of failing in securing job opportunities and attaining reasonable economic security. The challenges that are faced by offenders while trying to accept their behavioral aspects needs much consideration by ensuring that they receive public assistance and achieving financial security (Gideon & Sung, 2010). The “reintegration perspective” focuses on social and economic reintegration after release (Travis, 2004). This perspective emphasizes entering the labor market and repairing and renewing ties to family and community (Travis, 2004). In addition, this perspective focuses on helping renew family ties due to offender’s lengthy time in prison. For the most part, the family needs to do a pre-release attendance to the offender’s respondents to culminate a positive expectation from the society after release (Hattery & Smith., 2010).

Supportive families, after the release of the offender, ’s makes the reintegration process much better and more straightforward in achieving the goal of the reentry process. As society looks into with the reintegration perspective, it focuses on how an offender can use this perspective to help with social and economic reintegration and to help build social relationships among society. When offenders are released from prison, they feel complimented when society understands them, changing their emotional aspect. Furthermore, it’s it is the duty of respective family members to ensure their family members receive family support both in and out of prison. Higher value and attention may be realized in the life of the prisoner even better than when they were incarcerated with adequate support. Thus, the family is an essential factor towards influencing the process of reentry (Hattery & Smith, 2010). Facing a challenging environment makes many offenders released in prison in the United States deter from the process of becoming more actively involved in the society. The livelihood, social connections, and residence of the offender make them get more interconnected with the society through such aspects (Travis, 2004). As mentioned before, religion and other social gatherings that the community might be involved in are important to an offender. Such as if they go to religious places with family, they will meet different people who will help them to reenter successfully.(source)

In American society, people go in and out of prisons which has contributed to increasing inequality in recent decades, primarily by reducing opportunities for employment and lowering wages among former prisoners, but also by decreasing the prevalence of two-parent families (Western 2007). Psychological support of the prisoner offender upon release benefits in the process of having a polite society that will provide an excellent crime prevention background even when the prisoners are faced with life cycle problems. Effective interventions effectively make prisoners have a further constituent commitment in the society. Thus, an effective plan to integrate the prisoner and the community is to have the family be the initial factor to influence character and behavioral change of the prisoner (Gideon., 2010).

When offenders are released, there is a high er percentage of offenders, who come back into the society and fail to receive federal correctional programs such as employmen, alsot fail to maintain the process. After being released they encounter the challenge of securing jobs and employment opportunities. Society has the tendency to employ persons with no criminal history because an employer doesn’t want an offender’s behavior to affect the business (Gunnison & Helfgott, 2013). Additionally, social factors of which that include, lack of family support, poor employment history, and also negative peer influence results in prisoners not being accepted back into the society and in not being able to secure employment. While criminal conviction, may look like the main cause of incarceration in the first place, it also contributes as an obstacle of offender’s reentry into the society. Why is this? Criminal conviction has an aspect know as collateral consequences; these are aspects that affect the inmate’s life as long as they are incarcerated. For instance, prohibition from voting, owning a firearm among other serious collateral consequences that come with criminal conviction. Offenders who have served time will definitely find it difficult to reunite with their families and definitely ineligible for most types of employment. Mainly because their skills might have been outdated or the employment environment does not exactly entertain the employment of offenders.(source)

These obstacles hinder the ability of accessing public housing, earning a living and enjoying a quality of life. Those obstacles make s the offenders feel like life back in prison was better and less stressful therefore luring offenders back to recidivism, leading to an increased correctional cost to the judiciary. While s Some of the collateral consequences are important and serve a specific function to reducing the chance of recidivism. Like for instance, if an inmate had the offence of armed robbery, basically making it illegal for them to have a gun will be helpful for them and the criminal justice system. Which also goes for sex offenders, who has been prohibited to be sex offender as a way of earning incoming will probably reduce the chance of the ex-offender repeating the crime. A good example is that the state of Texas prohibits an individual from serving as an instructor a at a college or a career school. Therefore, if an individual was an instructor then they would need new skills (Blumstein and Nakamura, 2018). This a factor is unavoidable which is result of criminal conviction, as aspect that might inevitably have a solution.(source) Comment by Butch Beach: Inaccurate statement—The Judiciary does not pay correctional costs Comment by Butch Beach: Relevance to job? Comment by Butch Beach: Does not make sense?

Offenders who are able tocan acquire legitimate jobs are less likely to face the challenge of recidivism. Those offenders who are able to get higher paying jobs are more likely to have a change in their lives compared to those offenders who do not find good job opportunities in society (Cole, et.al.2018). For the reentry programs to be successful the criminal justice system should be ready to work with the society. This is a trend that has been developing through the years. Most companies have understood the obstacle of finding a job after incarceration and know have turned to hiring offenders as part of inclusion strategy. Although the jobs are not the nest best jobs, they pay minimum wage and it will play an important role, before an individual get back to their feet.(source)

After an offender has been released from prison through employment will be able to maintain employment opportunities. Therefore, it’s possible that the offender will avoid re-arrest when the society accepts factors like, stable accommodations and lack of substance battered associated problems. Also, it’s identified that offenders need to have an influenced life in which they will have their respective needs identified and met with even specific services that they require in their life. Being the most essential factor, employment opportunities, GED accreditations, job training and also job vocational educations will aid in the process of reentry (Gideon & Sung 2010). Comment by Butch Beach: Rephrase, this sentence does not make sense Comment by Butch Beach: Do you mean unstable accomodations? Comment by Butch Beach: What is this?

Additionally, cases of recidivism have are significantly reduced as the offenders get legitimate employment opportunities upon release. Participating in employment services also assists them to be able to gain friends who are able to guide them through the principle of responsibility in abiding the law. In addition, society needs to let offenders receive life training lessons randomly in aid of boosting the worker’s egocentrism towards facing life-challenging influences (Gideon & Sung 2010). Such opportunities make it possible to have a timelier intervention program that helps the prisoner make change. Legitimate job opportunities play a vital role to seamlessly have a good integration program that re-vitalizes the character development process. It’s It is hard for the offender to have a change in life when they are influenced back to crime through employees who accept to have the same crime related behaviors such as the use of drugs at the workplace and also smuggling of products from worksites (Gideon & Sung 2010).

Within the prison system there needs to be employment-related services readily made available to the offenders upon the time that they get to work until they are released from prison. (Travis, 2004). Such intervention, makes the offenders adequately prepared in their skills, even when jailed, to improve their ability before being released into the community once again. Vocational assessments are essential towards having a plan that basically revitalizes skill developments. The future employment is constituent in readiness to train the prisoner early and also to have a series of benchmarks that aid in the program of character skill development (Cole, et., 2018).

It’s more beneficial for the prisoner’s post-release necessities through the pre-release procedures put in place at the prison before release (Hattery A. & Smith E., 2010). Therefore, it is essential to make employment easy for the prisoner then after release to embark in the process acceptance into the society. Positive influences will be realized when we have a concrete and offenders get back to the process of securing jobs at the employment sites (Gunnison E.& Helfgott J. B, 2013). APA formatting Comment by Butch Beach: Need a second reader for missing words

When an offender is released, they rely heavily on living with their parents and siblings due to their criminal history. Many states have banned those with felony convictions from benefits such as food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and residence in public housing, either permanently or temporarily (Travis, 2004). Rules that bar those with a felony record from public and subsidized housing may limit residence with friends and family as well, and increase the likelihood of homelessness (Travis, 2004). Offenders upon release tend to be closer to the mother than the father. Having contact with the mother provides a sense of responsibility as mum mothers s always support their children despite any negative aspects of their lives compared to fathers with a higher margin (Gunnison E. & Helfgott J. B, 2013). Offenders typically don’t have any money, need emotional support, and good advice can only be found in the family better than the society. Moreover, when the family makes frequent visits to the prison, it’s more likely the prisoner to be more attached to them even when they have been released (Travis, 2004).

Most families become worried about their family member being sent back into prison, and after serving their sentence, they strive for the success of their family member. Making the family become more comfortable is always essential for the criminals to pay back the time they spent away from the family when they were in prison. Upon being jailed it’s easier for the family to face health problems especially if a family member is stressed up and gets information that the family members are incarcerated. The emotional stresses make them contract sickness like stroke when they are provided with messages about their child’s arrest (Cole., et. 2018). Which is an expected outcome when it is observed in different angles. The connection with families is a significant part of the reentry, as it actually acts a facilitator instead of the obstacle of reentry into the community. This means that if the parents, or family member is concerned about the inmate or the they actually fall sick from a predisposing condition that was there before their family member was incarcerated it will definitely persuade the inmate to get on good behavior, while in prison and get released on good behavior, or when they are released they will be able to come and try their best to successfully enter the community so that their the stress placed upon their family is reduced.(source) this is related more to factor one than here

Most children always need to have their parents in their life and alsoand to stay at home to avoid being subjected back to prison. It’s evident that most family members become more worried to have their counterparts fall into the same problem that submitted them to be jailed (Cole, 2018). Therefore, especially when the prisoner has been released the family and siblings will always keep track of the offenders dealing and daily movements. Upon exiting the houses, the family will still have unanswered questions pertaining to their family members who cannot get proper housing; especially makes the prisoner become more concerned. Being with the family and living with them is an initiative that makes the offender abstain from bad companies that will influence them back into crime related issues. Probation plays an integral role of abstaining from drugs, and the likelihood of getting back into prison (Cole., et. 2018). The family will keep tabs on the offender to make sure that they successfully reenter into the society. Mainly because if that is not the case it will cost the family and not entirely financially but, it can be mostly emotionally. Therefore, the family will make sure that any obstacles that the prisoner might face is out of their ways it will be cheaper to deal with the situation in this perspective. Like the family will provide a roof over their head, some money to keep them afloat before they find a job, and definitely help them secure employment.

There is a strong relationship between maintaining string family relationships and parole success, this is because the family is an important component in making sure that individuals smoothly transition from incarceration to reentry in the society. The connection that the offender builds with the family which encourages them to develop the need of being free so as to finally spend more time with the family. This is particularly when the offender has had more contact with family during their sentence as compared to offenders who had less contact with family. Strong family support encourages offenders through the reentry program as, the offenders develop a sense of family importance among the people who are incarcerated. Additionally, family play important role such as financial support as the individuals strive to enter into workforce which is the most difficult aspect of the reentry.

Due to the offender’s status, they may be put on a higher priority than most by their parole officer or their probation officer. Having a poor credit status in the past can be influenced when the family is involved in the process. A natural step can be made in which the family member is given priority to have the house and lease it back to the prisoner as a family initiative. Therefore, it’s more likely when the offender gets housing back in the poor and unsuitable environment they will reflect back to living in prison. Thus, the housing situation makes them live in environments that need to be upgrade back and have the members receive a better good life later. Transitioning with the help of the family becomes more beneficial in understanding the prisoner and also to keep track of the behaviors that may develop even after the release of the prisoner. It’s important for the family to adjust on the adapting to family members despite the negative characters of the family member (Gideon., 2010). Comment by Butch Beach: This factor should be about vocational rehabilitation it is not just more of factor one

In some cases, offenders may commit another crime within months of release. Thus, imprisonment always breaks the ties between the family and the community. Therefore, parole supervision is initiated towards prisoners so that they can be supervised out from the normal duty to stay at the prison but rather be released in the society (Reamer, 2017). Parole supervision may constitute the prisoner to be taken back to jail due to the constant parole supervision. When conditions have been administered to the offenders before being released back into the society, prisoners always vow to stay by the rules and conditions given at the prison. But also, it is important to understand and look at the conditions that have been given for the parole. Some conditions maybe not to leave the state within a period of time, might be house arrest, or might be getting a job. Well getting a job for a convict definitely will be difficult looking at the biasness in employment here employees would not hire an ex-convict, leading to the implementation of laws such as “ban the box,” which was not a success rather it increased the bias when it comes to hiring ex-convicts and normal people. Comment by Butch Beach: Parole and probation is not a stated factor

This critically shows that the inmate on parole has a high chance of not fulfilling this requirement of finding a job, because it is out of their power. This is what creates the pressure for the offenders, because they understand time is ticking and they need to get the job, but they are not able to because of the underlying circumstances. Such stress factors will lead to recidivism especially if the individual is not able to handle stress properly. The slightest inconvenience may lead them back to jail. Additionally, aspects like staying within the state or house rest only requires discipline and patience. But what if the offender does not have any family support, they do not have proper way of supporting themselves and maybe there is agency for offenders nearby. This definitely makes their live very hard as compared to when they were incarcerated and an individual who has nothing to lose will immediately prefer going back to jail instead of living a life that is full of pressure and stress, that is created create with circumstances that is out of their control.

Parole investigations make prisoner imprison themselves back due to a feeling that they are subjected to harsh conditions. Despite the fact that offenders accept to undergo parole supervision and requirements, it’s evident that some fail to abide by the rules set and end up being imprisoned (Reamer, 2017). Being discharged on parole and overseeing judgments to detainee’s dependent on the offense done influences detainees to choose to depend without anyone else mind knowledge to live. In this manner amusingly, the parolee needs to comply with the terms and standards set while being discharged out of jail. Before the parolee reenters into the general public, they have to demonstrate their honesty by maintaining the conditions set to indicate they will follow the law even after discharge.

Which is not easy as discussed before, mainly because some of the parole requirements cannot be met by the parolee mainly because they requirements are out of their hands. Meaning that they will fail to abide, and with the parole investigations it will deem them unfit to reenter into the society while in real sense the environment created by the criminal justice requirements are not just favorable. Therefore, what can be done is to look into the redesigning of the parole system mainly the requirements for release. As mentioned before each prisoner is unique, in the sense of class, education level, financial ability, family dynamics among other aspects that might affect their successful reentry. Then it means that what will work for on individuals on parole will not definitely work for the other individuals. Therefore, an assessment of an individual’s abilities and life in general, would help to come up with the proper requirements that will make their life easier.

Depending on the violation made by the prisoner before the arrest, the conditions set by the parole board or any officer associated with their release. Thus, the prisoner is required to comply with all laws enacted by the state and federal governments. Upon being released on parole, the prisoner is needed to stay by the state of his/her incarceration (Craig, et., 2013). Furthermore, this is part of the requirement, having steady employment and also maintaining their educational track needs them too to make any reports to the parole officer on the progress. Abstaining from any drug substances, changing of address, and possession of firearms should always be a report made to the parole officer (Craig, et., 2013).

As part of violating the parole conditions, the parolee should be subjected to reincarnation due to their consequence. Thus, the ex- prisoner will face new charge proceedings in regard to offenses done after the parole was issued. Therefore, parole officers have a great responsibility to ensure that the parolee stays by the conditions and also when the parolee commits any crime, he/she decides on what will happen to the parolee upon arrest. Any evidence presented upon him or her needs to be heard and also charges be based on the offense or crime committed (Reamer, 2017).

IV. CONCLUSION

The obstacles that hinder reentry of offenders back to the society are complex, in this case there need to be stringent or complex remedies that will counter these obstacles. Basically, the obstacles mostly come from the design of the system, like for instance the offenders when they get into reentry they rely on siblings and family to get back on their feet. In this period the offenders try to get job, but at the same time they are stigmatizing by society starting from the family, the community and employers. What follows is that the offenders find a harsh environment that is worse than their incarceration period. This will lead to them committing anther crime that would send them back to prison which is a peaceful life as compared to starting anew life in a new environment. Additionally, some offenders are released on parole, and at times the measure that come with parole are very harsh that makes the offenders feel like, they are still prisoners.

Taking for example an individual is released on house arrest for a period of time, if the offender does not have family, savings, or a job that can eb done at home then how will they survive. This creates a stressful environment for the offenders and what follows is they prefer to go back thus recidivism. Therefore, the justice system should understand that the reentry programs in place are not effective in getting rid of all these obstacles for reentry. There should be measures that make sure the reentry from the prison release to community is as smooth as possible for the offenders so that they will be able to survive in the community as based to the second chance act of 2007 (Burris & Miller, 2017). What should be done is that the reentry organization should start the reentry as early as possible, immediately the prisoner is incarcerated. Additionally, the reentry should be digitized since there are three realms (online, prison and reentry) for an offender.

Action Recommended RECOMMENDATION

The action that should be taken is that the reentry should be developed to start early in the incarceration. That is, when the inmates are sentenced the reentry programs should start the program for each inmate at this moment. This is because each inmate is unique, according to their economic status, family status, skills and abilities among other aspects that differentiate them. Therefore, through having an insight for each individual it will help to provide each one of them with the proper reentry needs that will help them avoid recidivism. This is because a more personalized recidivism, or customized recidivism will help each individualeveryone to be in line with their previous life, and along the same concept prisoners can be offered training and education while in prison for those who lack skills and reliable qualifications. Comment by Butch Beach: Justify to the left margin

In the same line of better the reentry programs, the reentry programs should be developed through evidence based provided methods. Mainly because back then there were not enough literature that looked at why reentry programs failed but at the moment, there is enough literature that can be used to improve the current reentry systems. Evidence based rejuvenation for any program and system is the best thing that can happen. This is because previous literature is from experts who dedicated their study in the reentry and recidivism of prisoners have recommendations and proper solutions that can be used to improve this reentry system (Garot, 2019).

Starting early with the reentry program is recommended as it will change the whole structure. As mentioned before all the offenders are unique in different aspects, therefore there is no way that the reentry programs can be “one size fits all,” every individual is unique and should be provided with a customized program that will fit into their personal life. Or in other words to make this recommendation easier the offenders can eb be placed into communities or groups that would serve under the same reentry system. In the sense that the people with the same qualification and skills can be provided with the same community resources that will help them get back to their feet. The groups can be of construction workers, bankers, manual laborers and the list goes on. whereby this can be possible if the offenders are registered, and their qualifications and skills noted and therefore throughout their sentences the development of their reentry is applied. This important mainly because the most challenging obstacle is getting work or something to keep the offenders occupied at reentry (Nham et al 2017). Comment by Butch Beach: Indent all paragraphs

Finally, the reentry for prisoners, that whole concept has been established to have three realms at the moment. The prison realm, the reentry realm and the online realm. At the moment almost every aspect in our societies have been digitized. Therefore, it is redundant to create reentry programs that do not embrace the online realm. All the three realms should be linked to work in unison so that the reentry programs can be better (Garot 2019). The reentry programs will benefit from the online realms, as it will provide online jobs for the ex-inmates, like in the case whereby house arrest is part of the parole, and offender under reentry can engage in online jobs. Additionally, the programs such as training or orientation can happen online and it will make sure that the customized reentry training is possible as it can offer in -person training. All that is important is technology and it should be reintegrated in the reentry systems.

Eliminate the extra spaces

References

Burris, S. W., & Miller, J. M. (2017). Second Chance Act, The. The Encyclopedia of Juvenile Delinquency and Justice, 1-4.

This encyclopedia talks about the second chance act of 2007, which basically acts as guide of the reentry program in all the states. It is useful as it helps to come up with various points, that can be used in the evidence-based reconstruction of the reentry systems. Comment by Butch Beach: Indent the entire annotation to preserve the hanging indent.

Craig L. Dixon L. Gannon T. (2013). What Works in Offender Rehabilitation: An Evidence Based Approach to Assessment and Treatment. Hoboken, Wiley.

This comprehensive volume summarizes the contemporary evidence base for offender assessment and rehabilitation, evaluating commonly used assessment frameworks and intervention strategies in a complete guide to best practice when working with a variety of offenders. In addition, it presents an up-to-date review of ‘what works ‘in offer assessment and rehabilitation, along with discussion of contemporary attitudes and translating theory into practice. Furthermore, includes assessment and treatment for different offender types across a range of settings.

Cole G. Smith C. E. DeJong C. (2018). The American System of Criminal Justice. Cengage Learning.

This examines the criminal justice across several disciplines, presenting elements from criminology, sociology, law, history, psychology, and political science. Broad coverage of the facts, uncompromising scholarship, an engaging writing style, and compelling delivery of current events make the American System of Criminal Justice, now in its 14th Edition, one of the best books available for an in-depth look at the American criminal justice system.

Reamer F. G. (2017) On the Parole Board: Reflections on Crime, Punishment, Redemption and Justice. New York: Columbia University Press.

Frederic G. Reamer, the author has judged the fates of thousands of inmates within his twenty-four years on the Rhode Island Parole Board. Mr. Reamer decides which inmates are ready to reenter society and which are not. It is a complicated choice that balances injury to victims and their families against an offender’s capacity for transformation.

Garot, R. (2019). Rehabilitation Is Reentry. Prisoner Reentry in the 21st Century: Critical Perspectives of Returning Home.Journal, website, what is this?

This resource is important as it helps to talk about the reentry programs in the 21st century, it emphasizes on the fact that reentry systems need to be digitized based on the three realms, of prison, online and reentry.

Gunnison E. Helfgott J. B. (2013). Offender Reentry: Beyond Crime and Punishment. Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers.

Within this book the authors focus on the comprehensive exploration of the core issues surrounding offender reentry. Elaine Gunnison is a professor of Criminal Justice at Seattle University as well as Jacqueline Helfgott. These authors highlight the constant tension between policies meant to ensure smooth reintegration and the social forces—especially the stigma of a criminal record—that can prevent it from happening. In addition, these authors focus on the factors that enhance reentry success as they address challenges related to race, class, and gender.

Gideon L. Sung H. (2010) Rethinking Corrections: Rehabilitation, Reentry and Rehabilitation. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

These authors write about the challenges that convicted offenders face over the course of the rehabilitation, reentry, and reintegration process. Using an integrated, theoretical approach, each chapter is devoted to a corrections topic and incorporates original evidence-based concepts, research, and policy from experts in the field, and examines how correctional practices are being managed.

Hattery A. Smith E. (2010). Prisoner Reentry and Social Capital: the Long Road to Reintegration. Lanham, Md: Lexington Books.

Earl Smith is professor of sociology and the Rubin Distinguished Professor of American Ethnic Studies at Wake Forest University. Angela J. Hattery is professor of sociology at Wake Forest University. Prisoner Re-entry and Social Capital takes as its starting point interviews with twenty-five men and women during the summer of 2008 about their experiences with re-entering the ‘free world’ after a period of incarceration. By analyzing the experiences of these men and women, Smith and Hattery look in depth at the factors that inhibit successful re-entry and illustrate some successes and failures.

Nhan, J., Bowen, K., & Polzer, K. (2017). The reentry labyrinth: The anatomy of a reentry services network. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 56(1), 1-19.

This article looks at the various aspects of reentry, basically it looks ta the various, elements of reentry that makes it not as successful as needed. Basically, focusing on the obstacle of reentry. This article brings up the point of evidence-based development of better reentry systems.

Travis J. Reentry and reintegration: New perspectives on the challenges of mass incarceration. In: Patillo M, Weiman DF, Western B, editors. Imprisoning America: The social effects of mass incarceration. 2004. pp. 247–268.

In this article, they review the existing problems that are faced with mass incarceration. The article provides an overview of the prison boom and its attendant consequences. In addition, the article reviews the literature on the effects of incarceration and prisoner reentry on the communities from which prisoners are removed and to which they return after release, followed by a review of the literature on how neighborhood context affects the process of prisoner reentry.

Western B. Punishment and Inequality in America. New York: Russell Sage; 2007.

Bruce Western is a professor of Sociology at Princeton University. The author focuses on the recent explosion of imprisonment and the heavy costs on American society and exacerbating inequality. In addition, this book focuses on the profiles about the growth in incarceration came about and the toll it is taking on the social and economic fabric of many American communities.

I only count 11 total references of the needed 15. The encyclopedia is not scholarly and there are some that is impossible to recognize due to formatting. You need 15 scholarly references…