The Challenges of Prisoner Reentry: Facts and Figures

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Abstract

This fact sheet points out the main challenges former jail and prison inmates have in returning to society. The consequences of their employment problems and recidivism are experienced not just by the former inmates but also by their families, which are predominantly low-income and include over 3 million children.

Introduction

Every year, millions of men and women leave America’s state and federal prisons and local jails with the hope of a successful return to society. In 2005, 698,459 individuals passed through prison gates and an estimated 9 million individuals exited jail.

Many former prisoners return to dependent children.In 2001, prisoners released from state or federal prison were parents to 1.5 million children. There are 3.2 million children if inmates released from jail and on parole are included.

The challenges of prisoner reentry are therefore not experienced by released prisoners alone; they are challenges experienced by families that are predominantly low income.

(End of excerpt. The entire fact sheet is available in PDF format.)

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