Recidivism and Homelessness Study in Baltimore
Research study on impact of incarceration on health, housing, and employment among homeless individuals in Baltimore, conducted in 2011.
Recidivism and Homelessness Study in Baltimore
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Presentation Transcript
Still Serving Time… Struggling with Homelessness, Incarceration & Re-Entry in Baltimore October 2011
Purpose of Research • 2011 Health Care for the Homeless Summer Research Study • To examine the impact of incarceration on health, housing, and employment • People experiencing homelessness and marginally housed individuals were a primary focus of this study
Background • Prison population increase 1973-2009: 705% • MD adults incarcerated, on probation/parole: 1:27 • Half are Baltimore City residents • People homelessness on single night in Baltimore City: ~4,000 • Only ~2,000 shelter beds • Homelessness and incarceration a mutual risk factor
Methodology • Community-based participatory research design • Cross-sectional survey (25 questions) • 21 survey sites across the city • 6 weeks of surveying (June – July 2011) • 24 trained surveyors (staff, interns, consumers) • Inclusion criteria: Released from Maryland jail or prison in the last 10 years
Study Sample • Total surveyed: 429 • Average age: 43 • Veterans: 12% • Male: 79% • Homelessness at time of survey: 68% • Longest period 1+ years: 59% • 5+ years over lifetime: 41%
Services: During & After During Service After 62% 59% 59% N/A 59% 57% 42% 91% • 72% • 70% • 84% • 31% • 65% • 50% • 44% • 82% • Medical • Mental Health • Addictions • Housing • Case mgmt • Education • Job Training • Religious
Other Key Findings • Time of Release • Released between 8pm and 5am: 68% • Home Plan • Never completed home plan that met their needs: 71% • Employment: • Employed since recent release: 40%
Qualitative Responses • “The legal system here doesn’t recognize mental illness. They threw my medication away, they threw my phone away. America locks up patients, not prisoners.” • “I have work history all the way up until 33 years old. I’m always turned down because of my record. Corporate don’t see me in person. They don’t know I’m a changed person. It’s like we got a disease. They look at my record like it’s a disease.” • “It’s nuts – I need an ID, but to get that I need a social security card. To get a social security card, I need an ID. How do I do that?”
Policy Applications • 2012 Legislative Proposals: • Ban the Box • Shielding of records • Expand pre-release planning/resources • Invest in affordable housing and health care • Target interventions to youth (and their families) • De-criminalize homelessness • Increase/intensify services (during & after) • Employment, housing, and health care as prevention
Report Release Release full report: October 26, 2011 www.hchmd.org Contact: Adam Schneider, MSW HCH Community Relations Coordinator Aschneider@hchmd.org 443-703-1398 Lisa Klingenmaier, MSW/MPH(c) Public Policy Intern lklin001@umaryland.edu