Rural Reentry

1. Rural Reentry Jonda Clemings, MSEd, LSW Rural Housing Program Coordinator COHHIO

2. What is reentry housing and what makes it a “hot topic” • “ Housing is the cornerstone of reentry: The indispensable and fundamental basis upon which prisoners begin to build new lives. Housing programs that target this group do a great service to the population at large in securing and enhancing public safety.” • ** No Place Like Home: Housing and the Ex-Prisoner (white paper), Community Resources for Justice, Boston, MA, November 2001

3. Housing first Housing ready Low demand High demand Shelter Scattered sites Half-way house Transitional Permanent supportive Shelter Plus Care Types of Housing

4. The Statistics • Right now 2,200,000 people are locked up across the country in county, federal and state custody • More than 672,000 people are released from state and federal prison every year • This does not include jails - more than 4 times as many released from jails • More prisoners are returning home - more time behind bars; less prepared for reintegration • Nearly 2/3 of released prisoners are expected to re-offended with a felony or serious misdemeanor within 3 years of release

5. The Statistics • Rural jails make up the majority of over 3,350 jails in America • The number of people released from prison has increased 350% over the last 20 years. • More than 10% of those entering prisons/jail are homeless in the months prior to their incarceration • For mentally ill, 20% were homeless prior to incarceration • 49% of homeless adults spent 5+ days in jail and 18% have been incarcerated in state/federal prisons

6. The Statistics • In 2003, Ohio spent $2,279,090,000 from the state system on corrections • This would support 126,616 units of supportive housing • This does not include local police and courts or federal costs - 1/3 of costs if same as rest of country • Ohio DRC has 32 institutions confining approximately 46,000 inmates

7. Re-entry… the Challenges • In the 80’s & 90’s, truth-in-sentencing laws were passed - eliminating the parole board role. Most prisoners now are released “automatically” under mandatory release, and more prisoners are serving full term and are released without supervision. • There are thousands of people that cycle in and out of jail, prison, mental health institutions, detox, shelters, emergency rooms and the streets. • The recidivism rate for this group is exceptionally high.

8. Re-entry… the Challenges • Public costs of these outcomes is huge. • These individuals need comprehensive support in order to succeed. • Rural homeless are more likely to have been incarcerated than urban homeless

9. Re-entry… the Challenges • Substance abuse • 80% of state prison population report history of AOD use; • 50% of prisoners report they were on AOD when they committed the offense • Physical health • Releases with chronic conditions: 16% AIDS; 22-31% HIV; 20-26% HIV/AIDS; 12-16% Hep B; 29-32% Hep C; 38% TB

10. Re-entry… the Challenges • Mental Illness • 8-16% of state prison population report at least one serious mental disorder • 1/3 of mentally ill inmates admit to history of alcohol dependence and 60% admit they were under the influence when committing their offense • Mentally ill prisoners were more likely to have been homeless before incarceration and on average serve 15 months longer in prison than other inmates.

11. Rural… the Challenges • Less likely to have access to private and public services • Often must travel to “urban” area to access resources • More likely to be economically limited - rural residents earn less • Acquaintance density - known by the community • More difficult to find due to living in abandoned farmhouses or other structures - many lacking utilities

12. Challenges Meeting basic survival needs Shelter Employment Physical/mental health treatment Qualities Rural residents tend to deal with problems on their own or seek assistance from friends & family Rural Re-entry

13. Contributing Factors… • Ex-offenders face the same social and economic conditions that lead to homelessness in the general population - rural poverty rates are higher than urban • Ex-offenders confront barriers to housing associated with their criminal justice system involvement • Lack of ownership of the problem among government agencies and community organizations

14. Contributing Factors… • Ex-offenders on probation/parole may be subject restriction of where they can live and with whom • Certain convictions lead to ineligibility for government funded housing • Majority of housing stock in rural areas are owner-occupied - rental stock is not as available

15. Ohio’s Roadblocks • Employers can refuse to hire anyone with a conviction record no matter their qualifications • Conviction records are available on the internet • Bars people who are incarcerated for a felony conviction from voting • Many PHA’s have a “x” year bar on accessing public housing • Licenses are suspended for 6 months and 21 days when individual is convicted of drug or alcohol offenses, not just those related to driving - may petition for work privileges

16. Ohio’s Break Through • Prohibits all employers and occupational licensing agencies from considering arrests not leading to conviction. • Opted out of Federal Drug Felon Ban on TANF and Food Stamps • Ohio doesn’t allow someone to vote while incarcerated • Determinations about suitability to be a foster or adoptive parent are made individually, and evidence of rehabilitation is considered

17. Benefits of Developing A Re-Entry Housing Program • Corrections facility • Reduced incarceration costs • Reduced liability due to overcrowding • Greater inmate supervision • Limiting the “warehousing” mentality

18. Benefits of Developing A Re-Entry Housing Program • The Community • Greater accountability of the offender • Positive approach to offender adjudication • Less victimization/greater public safety

19. Benefits of Developing A Re-Entry Housing Program • The Corrections Staff • Safer working environment • Reduced jail incidents • Reduced job stress • The Offenders Family • Opportunity for intervention • Focus towards positive options • Break in criminal cycle

20. Law enforcement Probation Jail Courts Prosecutor Defense counsel Housing providers Social service providers Family/friends Reentry Partners

21. Reentry Points

22. Decreasing Barriers • Negotiate with PHA to allow ex-offenders • Advocate with local government to acquire abandoned property ex-offenders can be employed at the property • Obtain community buy-in by partnering with local stakeholders • Work with ex-offenders - they know best what will work and what will not

23. Housing Funding Opportunities • Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) • HUD Section 8 Vouchers • Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) • Shelter Plus Care (S+C) • Low-income Housing Credits • Private-Sector Funding • HOPWA • Mental Health

24. Employment • Research has shown that having a job with decent wages is associated with lower rates of recidivism • Many employers are unwilling to hire ex-offenders • Many ex-offenders lack the education and skills to compete for employment • Average earnings in rural communities is 21% lower than metro areas • Participants in vocational programs were more likely to be employed following release and to have a recidivism rate 20% lower than non-participants.

25. Transition Planning • Jail transition coordinating group should be established and meet regularly on community goals • Reduce disruptive behavior in the community • Improve physical and social status • Decrease the likelihood of re-offending

26. Transition Planning • Assess - clinical & social needs and public safety risks • Plan - for the treatment and services to meet the needs • Identify - community and correctional programs • Coordinate - the transition plan to ensure implementation

27. What Can Communities Do? • Work with prisoners prior to release • Meet ex-offenders upon release, help them to navigate for first few days • Create network of partners for employment options • Engage providers that can assist families also deal with transition

28. What Can Communities Do? • Involve faith-based community for mentoring • Provide opportunities for community service • Develop coalition to oversee reentry efforts and provide accountability for community.

29. What Can Communities Do? • Develop Reentry work plans - • Set common goals • Determine population • Complete strategic plan with: • outcomes, • strategies, • responsible parties, and • monitoring requirements

30. What Can Communities Do? Landlord Outreach • Educational services for landlords, managers, owners • Incentive/finders fee • Recruitment campaign • Involve landlords on advisory board • Provide hotline number for crises • Encourage Housing Authority to convert up to 20% of their vouchers to Project-Based Assistance

31. Initiatives • Pre-release programs • “Reinventing Probation” • 3-part Alcohol and Other Drug treatment & reentry • Pre-release employment training - apprenticeships • Time-limited subsidy programs • Family reentry programs

32. Initiatives • Landlord Monetary incentives • Tenant-based rental assistance • Rent payment guarantees • Deposits • Finder’s fee/signing bonus • Damage deposits/payments • Retainer/eviction allowance • Master leasing

33. Policy Implications • Housing programs in rural settings can build on family & friend support • Outreach should be completed with prospective employers to encourage hiring of ex-offenders • Interactive video technology can facilitate easier access to services

34. Questions and Answers

35. Jonda Clemings, MSEd, LSW Rural Housing Program Coordinator Coalition On Homelessness and Housing In Ohio - COHHIO 175 S. Third St. - Suite 250 Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-280-1984 jondaclemings@cohhio.org www.cohhio.org