Macon Reentry Coalition: Working Together to Change Lives
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Authors
Swicord, Leigh R.
Issue Date
2009
Type
Other
Language
en_US
Keywords
Macon (Ga.) , Recidivism
Alternative Title
Abstract
The economic downturn has exacerbated social problems as more persons are unemployed, homeless, and in need of assistance. If not aided, these persons may be more likely to resort to drug usage and other inappropriate activity thereby posing problems within the community and contributing to the increase in vagrancy and crime. Criminal offenders released from incarceration transitioning into society, referred to as "offender reentry", have an exceptionally difficult time given the lack of job skills and education necessary to secure employment. Further, these persons oftentimes lack meaningful social and community ties and become a "burden" on social programs within the community. These social problems are exacerbated by the sheer volume of persons being released from imprisonment following the trend towards mass-incarceration in the 1980s and 1990s. In fact, the prison population has increased at a rate of fifteen percent (15%) while the U. S. Resident population experienced an increase of approximately six and one half percent (6.5%). (West and Sabol 2007) Of those persons incarcerated in local jails, approximately half are confined as a consequence of their failure under community supervision. (Beck 2006) Thus, offender reentry has become an increasingly pressing problem for communities in which offenders return from prison every day homeless, in need of treatment, and lacking meaningful community associations.
Description
Citation
Publisher
Valdosta State University
License
Copyright protected. Unauthorized reproduction or use beyond the exceptions granted by the Fair Use clause of U.S. Copyright law may violate federal law.