Homelessness and Prisoner Re-Entry

Fact Sheets | 11 Aug 2006

This fact sheet examines the relationship between prison and jail reentry and homelessness. In particular, it examines the following points:

An unprecedented number of people are coming out of prison and jail.
Many people released from prison or jail are at risk for homelessness, which can increase the likelihood that they will commit new crimes and return to prison.
State and local budgets cannot sustain spending on shelter and emergency costs to serve increasing numbers of people who are homeless; long-term housing solutions can decrease the costs associated with people who would otherwise become homeless, such as people released from prison and jail.
Organizations have developed different housing interventions to prevent homelessness and promote independence and self-sufficiency among re-entering offenders in several states.