Chicago Prisoners' Experiences Returning Home

• NCJ Number: 208528
• Author(s): Nancy G. La Vigne; Christy Visher; Jennifer Castro
• Date Published: December 2004
• Length: 20 pages
• Corporate Author: The Urban Institute
• Sale Source: The Urban Institute; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded January 26, 2005.

Annotation

This report presents findings from an Urban Institute prisoner reentry study in Chicago, IL.

Abstract

In 2001, the Urban Institute implemented a four-State, longitudinal study of the challenges of prisoner reentry in Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas. The study in Chicago began with an analysis of pre-existing corrections data in order to glean a picture of the current incarceration and reentry characteristics in Illinois. Following this analysis, a series of interviews was conducted with 400 male prisoners returning to Chicago neighborhoods both before and after their release from prison. Interviews focused on the respondents’ prerelease programming, post-release programming and services, and on their attitudes and beliefs toward themselves and others. Interviews were also conducted with prisoners’ family members and focus groups were conducted in four Chicago neighborhoods where a high concentration of prisoners return after release from prison. This report presents findings from the interviews and neighborhood focus groups. The analysis indicates that families are an important support system for released prisoners; prisoner interviews underscored the importance of family in reducing recidivism. The four neighborhoods most prisoners in Illinois return to are marked by high levels of social and economic disadvantage and offer little in the way of employment or social support to keep returning prisoners out of jail. Before release, most respondents expressed desire to change and had positive attitudes about themselves and others. Following release, respondents experienced difficulties finding employment; those who held jobs prior to incarceration were significantly more likely to find post-release employment. Although 3 in 10 respondents reported chronic health problems and 10 percent showed signs of depression, a full 81 percent of respondents did not have health insurance following release. Finally, 22 percent of the respondents were reconvicted within 11 months of release. These data should provide a foundation for policy discussions and recommendations. Table, figures, endnotes