Name of Report: The Impact of Incarceration & Reentry in Providence
Organizational Affiliation: Rhode Island Family Life Center
Author: Rhode Island Family Life Center
Contact Information: Rhode Island Family Life Center www.ri.familylifecenter.org 841 Broad St. Providence , RI 02907 Phone (401) 781-5808 Fax (401) 781-5361
Date: March 31 st , 2004
Pages: 24
Content Summary
As mentioned in the title of the document, this data looks at the impact of incarceration and reentry for the individuals returning to their former environments after being released from prison. This report also looks at how the families and the societies that these individuals are returning to are affected. The geographical area that is focused on in the report is Providence as a result of the fact that Providence has the greatest percentage of people incarcerated in the state's correctional facilities at 38 %. The city that follows Providence in terms of prison rates is Pawtucket at 10.3%. Some of the components that are taken into consideration in the data analysis are race, gender, and geographical factors. The data is also put together in such a way that emphasis is placed on the impact of incarceration and reentry on avenues such as employment, housing, family, health, food and basic needs, and civic participation.
The information found in this document was put together into a PowerPoint presentation that is organized into diagrams, charts, maps, tables, and bullet points. The data is presented in very simple terms allowing the information to reach various audiences. The main four questions that are answered within this document are 1) Who is coming home? 2) What challenges will they face? 3) How do ex-offenders affect neighborhoods? 4) What are the solutions?
Major Findings
While the leading racial category in the entire state is White, the rates of Blacks and Hispanics in prisons far exceeds the rates of Whites. Moreover, the rates of Asians and Whites incarcerated are very closely related. These state statistics are also representative of federal statistics. According to the 2000 Census, Blacks and Hispanics accounted for 63 percent of the prison population. For those individuals occupying residence in Providence , one in every three adult Black males in Providence is on probation or parole in comparison with one in 20 adult White males. In addition, the percent of unemployment for men of color in South Providence is exceedingly high. In terms of voting participation in Providence , 12.5 % of Blacks and 5.3% of Latinos are barred from voting in comparison with 2.1% of whites. Of the individuals that are released from prison, 39% of men and 80% of women are nonviolent or drug offenders. Also, 50% of male offenders and 73% of female offenders in Rhode Island reported having one or more children. Therefore, the bar on Food Stamps, Public Housing, and FIP (Family Investment Program) for prisoners convicted of drug felonies for distribution, affect more people than just the prisoners. According to national statistics, the average educational level of those leaving prison is 11 th grade. In terms of health issues, on average three out of every four individuals released from prison have substance abuse needs and one in six suffers from mental illness. Furthermore according to the data collected, those who are released from prison are very likely to have a relapse without receiving the proper help. Finally, 50% of released prisoners are re-sentenced in RI within three years. Three basic solutions are listed within the analysis. 1) Reducing Barriers to Reentry. 2) Alternatives to Incarceration. 3) Justice Reinvestment.
Unaddressed issues or concerns
While the data is presented in a very straightforward manner, it would prove beneficial to include how one could access a more thorough and detailed report. Likewise, some of the statistics and data included are difficult to fully comprehend without assistance. Moreover, it would also be helpful if more emphasis were placed on the types of solutions to the problems presented. A follow-up analysis that includes more details as well as more concrete ways to get solutions to the presented problems would be very useful. One solution that is brought up is Justice Reinvestment. The idea of Justice Reinvestment speaks to the notion that a lot of the money that is ineffectively spent on prisons should be reallocated and spent on more community initiatives that truly support the advancement and recovery of individuals stigmatized by the prison system (Tucker and Cadora 2). Any discussion geared towards contemplating the rate at which ex-offenders reenter into society must take into consideration the characteristics that generally make up the environment. One of the many issues that ex-offenders are faced with as they are released from prison and return to their communities include finding decent forms of employment. Nationally, the prospect of good quality employment primarily for working class and poor individuals does not look that good. Some factors to consider is that approximately 25% of the workforce population between the ages of 18 and 64 make less than $10 an hour. Another factor worth noting is that under international division of labor, least skilled workers both in the U.S. and abroad often compete for employment. In terms of racial statistics, people of color, primarily females account for 42% of the low-wage workforce in the U.S. with an average hourly wage lower than $8 an hour (Conlin 61).
Reference List
Colin, Michelle, and Aaron Bernstein. "Working.and Poor." Business Week , 31 May 2004 : 58-65
Tucker, Susan B, and Eric Cadora. "Justice Reinvestment." Open Society Institute 3.3 (2003): 1-8.
How to Access Report
www.ri.familylifecenter.org