Reexamining Reentry: The Policies, People, and Programs of the United States Prisoner Reintegration Systems

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Description

Reexamining Reentry takes an in-depth look at how and why prisoner reentry programs are developed. Furthermore, this book explains how having access to these programs, or not, could potentially stymie the community reintegration of the formerly incarcerated. All too often we see the pervasive criminalization of the formerly incarcerated even after serving their sentences and being released into the general public. What makes this text different from many others that focus on prisoner reentry is the focus on empowerment strategies for the participant of the program rather than the deficits experienced by prison populations while attempting to transition. This book will show how the policies, social labeling and discrimination, trauma experienced prior to and during incarceration, as well as media interpretation of the population prior to incarceration all work together to further criminalize populations that have paid their respective debts to society.

Reviews

This book provides a very clear and comprehensive overview of the Prison Re-entry Industry. It is an formative introduction to a critical set of institutions which are largely ignored and invisible to most people, but which are radically important to understand, especially in the United States, a country with the worlds highest rate of incarcerationand hence the highest rate of ex-prisoners coming back to their home communities, but with more trauma and fewer resources than when they left. If we are to have healthy and safe communities it behooves us to help these individuals (i.e., our fellow citizens, family members, and neighbors) become successful contributing members of society. To do this we must invest resources, imagination, time, and care to insure the process of reentry is done well as it doesnt happen on its own, or even with the help of ones immediate family. Dr. Wests research provides a solid foundation for further reflection and work on this important issue. -- Cris Toffolo, Northeastern Illinois University

Author Bio

Rolanda J. West is justice studies lecturer at Northeastern Illinois University and executive director of the Alternative Education Research Institute.