Leaving prison can be a jarring experience. Reentry can be challenging under the best of circumstances.
But a state housing crisis has made it harder. Landlords are less likely to rent to someone with a criminal record. Formerly incarcerated people are 10 times more likely to be homeless.
Add in cuts to mental health services, job assistance and food insecurity programs, life is getting harder for many people who were previously incarcerated.
Today, we’re talking about challenges facing the formerly incarcerated population upon release.
Program highlights:
Connecticut officials say they are working to address the concerns of formerly incarcerated people coming back into society.
Bryan Jordan was recently released from prison after 20 years. He said that adjusting to life outside prison has been a challenge.
"I sat for 20 years and nobody prepared me for society," he said. "I'm not computer literate. My financial literacy comes from the streets, so I'm not up to speed with banking or mobile apping or any of these things that will make you successful in the world."
Connecticut State Sen. Gary Winfield says that needs to change.
"If these folks aren’t well — if they’re not able to do the things that they need — get a place that is stable to live … then they are likely to recidivate," Winfield said. "Folks will often talk about what the rate of recidivism is — and why is it as high as it is? And all of that. To me, I am surprised it’s not higher, to be honest with you."
In Connecticut, about 70 percent of people released in 2012 were arrested again within five years, according to data.
GUESTS:
- Alpha Jalloh: formerly incarcerated person living in Connecticut
- Bryan "Love" Jordan: formerly incarcerated person living in Connecticut
- State Sen. Gary Winfield: Democrat representing the Tenth District in New Haven and West Haven
- Beth Hines: Executive Director of Community Partners in Action
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