Behavioral health problems, ex-offender reentry policies, and the "Second Chance Act".
The federal "Second Chance Act of 2005" calls for expanding reentry services for people leaving prison, yet existing policies restrict access to needed services for those with criminal records. We examined the interaction between individual-level characteristics and policy-level restrictions related to criminal conviction, and the likely effects on access to resources upon reentry, using a sample of prisoners with Axis I mental disorders (n=3073). We identified multiple challenges related to convictions, including restricted access to housing, public assistance, and other resources. Invisible punishments embedded within existing policies were inconsistent with the call for second chances. Without modification of federal and state policies, the ability of reentry services to foster behavioral health and community reintegration is limited.
Pogorzelski
Wendy
W
Center for Mental Health Services & Criminal Justice Research, Rutgers University, 30 College Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. wpogorzelski@ifh.rutgers.edu
Wolff
Nancy
N
Pan
Ko-Yu
KY
Blitz
Cynthia L
CL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003688:Deinstitutionalization / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D004608:Eligibility Determination / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D011329:Prisoners / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011632:Public Assistance; D011678:Punishment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014754:Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data