Five Factors That Lead to Recidivism

FIVE FACTORS THAT LEAD EX-PRISONERS BACK TO PRISON

#1 Chemical dependency issues—major condition of parole—alcohol and drug free • Regina—25 year methamphetamine addict—went to T.X. twice after release from prison—everyone thought drinking was ok, even though it is clearly forbidden in terms of parole • Shep—relapsed and got violated several times

#2 Housing/lack of housing/back in the ‘hood—coming out of prison—little/no money, felony record eliminates many options, including section 8 housing—1988—Anti-Drug Abuse Act—allowed local housing authorities to evict an entire family if anyone engaged in “drug-related criminal activity” • Elaine-back to projects, surrounded by what parole ordered her to avoid—drugs, crime, gang activity • Shep—no place to go, ended up in bad neighborhood—arrested for “being in the vicinity of a drug deal” • Smiley moved back into the same gang-infested neighborhood he lived in before prison

#3 Unrealistic expectations—planned “a wonderful life upon release “while in prison, goals that are often difficult to achieve/unrealistic • Elaine—P.O. said she had an “air of grandeur about her, wouldn’t take a job as a maid upon release from prison; thought her post-prison romantic life would live up to “How Stella got her Grove Back” • Smiley—wanted to support himself tattooing, but his only customers (the only people he ever knew) were gang affiliations—forbidden by parole conditions

#4 Lack of personal responsibility/unwillingness to follow rules of parole—stable housing and employment, no drugs/drinking • Prisonization—reflexive distrust and hostility toward official authority born out of initial relationship between inmates and guards, difficulty showing up for work on time—Elaine. Smiley—never had a job before—fired for aggressive behavior • They all drank on camera • Smiley refused to cut his ties to gang members • Shep—complete denial—believes that he is wrongfully imprisoned

#5 Family and Friends—not always positive influence, esp. if they were involved in parolee’s chemical and/or criminal behavior. Often, many resentments on both sides • Elaine—wanted to be a matriarch like her mother had been • Smiley—gang was only family he ever knew—paroled directly to the heart of gangland San Fernando, CA • Shep—“my friends are few and my world is cold

THREE SOLUTIONS

#1 Employment program • Finding job seriously hindered by felony • Parolees usually have weak (or nonexistent resume) • Need assistance with on the job etiquette • Parolees often poorly/under educated—drug convictions can disallow some federal grants for schooling—help exploring other avenues • No knowledge of how to be a good employee—prisonization—used to being told when to go places/do things

#2 Housing program • Finding housing seriously hindered by felony • Felony convictions bars parolees from Section 8 housing and other social welfare programs • NOT in ‘hood/old stomping grounds—temptation of criminal activity and/or drug use can prove to be too tempting • Parolees usually have poor money management skills—help with budgeting

#3 Chemical dependency treatment • Failing to remain drug and alcohol free—very common reason for violation—huge percentage of parolees have CD issues • Most addicts can not financially afford their habits and commit crimes to fund their fixes