Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 1) | Page 95

Re-entry and Integration

are these challenges that push the boundaries of aftercare?
Focusing on Re-entry
So what is the urgency of aftercare? It is urgent because the distress of disrupted
relationships and disappointment, especially with or of family members,
should be harnessed for change. It will be good if good caseworkers are
assigned to work alongside the inmate to turn the self reflection towards
change. Aftercare is also now more critical because more will qualify for
community based rehabilitation with shorter periods of incarceration. These
measures all heighten the work of aftercare aimed at the successful re-entry of
these individuals to our community. For most, this will mean avoiding crime
and gainful employment when released.
When we look at programs developed over the years both here and overseas,
there are several components in the re-entry initiatives that have had a
positive impact. These include employment, education, mentoring, avoiding
substance abuse and mental health treatment for those who need it. The
programs demonstrate the diversity of approaches that can help to address
recidivism and increase public safety.
Supporting employment and job readiness
Employment is widely seen by practitioners, researchers, policymakers,
and formerly incarcerated individuals as crucial to successful reintegration
into the community and decreasing the risk of recidivism. Yet the stigma of
incarceration and having been out of the workforce for a period of time often
contribute to the challenges individuals face when trying to find a job after
release. In the US, individuals who have been incarcerated have been shown
to earn 40 percent less annually than they had earned prior to incarceration
and are likely to have less upward economic mobility over time than those
who have not been incarcerated.
Meaningful employment can help individuals succeed in the community
after release from incarceration because it refocuses their time and efforts on
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