Authorities across the world have a vested interest in reducing recidivism, both due to the personal challenges people face when leaving prison and also the societal challenges presented when people struggle to adapt to civilian life again.

Research from Georgia State University suggests that policymakers should focus on housing to ensure that people have the best chance upon leaving prison.

Stable housing

It’s well established that stable and safe housing is invaluable for people as they leave the prison system. Such housing provides them with the right environment to help them both stay on the straight and narrow while also reintegrating into society.

The research, which was conducted as part of the Second Chance Act program, saw people interviewed who had been out of prison somewhere between three months and three years. They found a number of financial barriers that prevented people from accessing secure housing.

For instance, the affordability of housing was a constant challenge, but this was often exacerbated by the challenges people faced in terms of finding a secure job that paid a livable wage. Participants also expressed difficulty in terms of things like credit history or access to deposits.

There are also a number of non-financial barriers that prevent people from accessing reliable housing. For instance, the researchers found that paperwork requirements can be prohibitive, while the timing of parole meetings can also be inflexible. The parole requirements can also limit where people can look for accommodation.

Re-entry support

The participants revealed that re-entry programs can provide some help with overcoming these barriers, especially in terms of the existing relationships they have with landlords and offering recommendations for housing. Many also provide help with financial issues.

The researchers also accept that many of the difficulties encountered by people as they leave prison are also faced by society more broadly, especially in terms of the shortage of both quality jobs and affordable housing.

Nonetheless, they are confident that there remain considerable opportunities for more innovative solutions that can have a significant impact by cross-sector partners on the ground, as well as by federal policymakers in the justice and housing sectors.