The Case of Reintegration of Women Post

Transcript:The Case of Reintegration of Women Post:
The Case of Reintegration of Women Post Incarceration Deana Raley Noble, PhD, MPH, RN November 1, 2015 Relevancy Prison and jail over population major national concern 300 % increase in incarcerations since 1980 (PEW, 2010) Incarceration of women increased at almost double the rate of men since 1980 Rate of incarceration of women far lower than that of men (51 of every 100,000 women vs. 819 of every 100,000 men) (Covington, 2004; Glaze, 2010; LaVigne, Brooks & Shollenberger, 2009) Substantial state and federal government costs to Build, maintain prison, jail facilities; house offenders Public safety Thousands of inmates released to the community each year with undiagnosed, underdiagnosed, untreated or undertreated communicable diseases, chronic diseases, and mental illness (NCCHC, 2002) Contributes to: Recidivism Homelessness Increased health care costs to the community Increased health risk to the community Spread of infectious disease in the community Incarceration economic impact Less recidivism among those who get and maintain employment and/or earn a higher wage (LaVigne, Brooks & Shollenberger, 2009; Visher, Debus & Yahner, 2008). Person’s income can be reduced by as much as 40% An important factor reducing former inmates employability (Costrel, 2009; LaVigne, Brooks & Shollenberger, 2009; PEW, 2010). Tight job market. Scarce jobs for individuals with a prison record (Costrel, 2009; PEW, 2010; Visher, Debus & Yahner, 2008). Additional obstacles for women to overcome Childcare responsibilities, fewer job skills, higher rates of physical and mental illness that may limit their employability. Precursors to detention Histories of childhood mistreatment Dysfunctional families Lack of support Substance use/abuse Mental and physical health problems Poverty Homelessness (experienced by >10% with higher rates for women with mental illness) (CSG, NRRC, 2009) Criminal activity (Covington, 2003; Weiss, et al., 2010) Association of victimization, poor mental health and alcohol and drug abuse leading to detention well documented Characteristics of women offenders Disproportionately women of color Early to mid thirties Family history of detention Survivors of physical and/or sexual abuse Significant substance abuse problems and mental health problems Unmarried mother of minor children High school degree or GED Limited vocational training Sporadic work history, offenses most often drugs or drug related Re-entry challenges Recidivism rates have remained relatively stable over the years in spite of various programs instituted to reduce recidivism rates (LaVigne, et al., 2009). 45.4 percent of people released from prison in 1999 and 43.3 percent of those sent home in 2004 were re-incarcerated within three years Women