Housing Ex-Offenders: Identifying Barriers and Proposing Solutions

Reentry and Housing the Ex-Offender Housing Ex-Offenders: Identifying Barriers and Proposing Solutions Angela Lee ODRC Reentry and Family Program Administrator

Topics • ODRC Statistics/Offender Population Characteristics • Urban Institutes, Returning Home Study, Findings • Sex Offenders • Housing Initiatives • How Does It All Fit Together?

ODRC Statistics and Offender Characteristics • Currently there are 49,488 incarcerated offenders • Capacity is 37,610 • All time record high • Expected to reach 55,543 offenders by July 2009 • Female population is the fastest growing population

Of those offenders admitted, 60% serve less than one year-55% of them serve less than six months. • In FY2006 28,448 offenders were released to the community. 13,904 (less than half) were released to community supervision • Average age: • Male: 35.2 years • Female 35 years

F4 & F5 felonies comprise 57.3% of committed crimes. • Four major crimes: • Drug Possession • Drug Trafficking • Burglary • Theft • The national average cost of confining an offender is $22,000 • In Ohio the cost is $25,000

Urban Institute, Returning Home StudyKey Findings in Ohio • Housing instability is high; • 63% of men studied lived in more than one place during the year after release; • Nearly 1/3 moved several times within first year; • 46% considered living arrangement temporary; • Men studied felt their housing situation could be jeopardizing their prospects for successful reintegration; • Housing and Financial Support is a critical need for successful reentry. • Urban Institute-Returning Home Policy Brief-April 2007 Christy Visher and Shannon Courtney, Research Associates

Predictors of Re-Incarceration One Year After Release Those who had… • Secured long-term stable housing in the first month, • Secured a job six months after release, and • Maintained a positive attitude and had family support …were less likely to be Re-Incarcerated. Urban Institute-Returning Home Study-April 2007

Urban Institute-Returning Home: Post-Release Surveys Preparation for Reentry • Nearly all men participated in some type of program • 64% in Ohio’s Release • Preparation Program • 87% in other programs • 23% earned a GED

Urban Institute-Returning Home: Post-Release Surveys Community *Over half did not return to old neighborhood *77% felt neighborhood was safe *But, 60% thought neighborhood was not a good place to find a job *Wanted to avoid trouble *Lost previous housing *49% said drug trafficking was major problem in neighborhood Post-Release Prisoner Residence *Family/friend moved

Urban Institute-Returning Home: Post-Release Surveys Housing • 21% lived with former prisoner and 16% lived with substance user • 4 out of 5 men relied on family for housing • Almost half viewed housing as temporary Living Arrangements at 1, 6, and 12 Months After Release Those with long-term housing were less likely to return to prison

Myths and Realities About Sex Offenders The Importance of Community Participation

Myth Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers… Ohio Facts 87% of child victims know their offender with almost half being a family member 76% of adult women were raped by a current or former husband, live-in-partner, or date. Office of Criminal Justice Services, Report to the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission-January 2006

Myth Most child sexual abusers use physical force or threat to gain compliance from their victims… Fact …In most cases, abusers gain access through grooming, deception, and enticement.

Myth Most child sexual abusers find their victims by frequenting such places as schoolyard and playgrounds. Fact Most Abusers offend against children they know and have established a relationship.

Myth Sex Offender have a high recidivism rate… Fact …In Ohio only 8% of convicted sex offenders recidivate by committing a new sex offense, 14.3% recidivate committing a non-sex related offense…Research has shown that sex offenders recidivate at a lower rate than other offenders… -Office of Criminal Justice Services, Report to the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission-January 2006

Housing InitiativesODRC & Community Partners • Independent Housing • Permanent Supportive Housing • Reentry Centers • Halfway Houses

How Does It All Fit Together?

Collaborative Practices Collaborative Practices Collaborations and partnerships are great but developing best practices is even greater.

Service Providers Service Providers Service Providers are an essential element in the reintegration process of ex-offenders. The Community provides a network of support for victims and offenders. Getting involved helps prevent crime, victimization, and reduce recidivism.

Offenders Offenders are provided with the tools necessary to become tax-payers not tax burdens, become active members in their communities and family while still being held accountable for their behaviors. OFFENDERS

Criminal Justice Professionals Justice professionals assist in providing a balanced approach to justice. Support legislative opportunities essential in promoting offender reentry and safer communities. JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS

Service Providers Collaborative Practices JUSTICE JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS OFFENDERS OFFENDERS Safer Ohio Communities Safer Ohio Communities

Together we can break the cycle of incarceration now and for generations to come...

Housing Ex-Offenders: Identifying Barriers and Proposing Solutions