BJS ReEntry Highlights (note: yearend 2002)

BJS ReEntry At least 95% of all State prisoners will be released from prison at some point; nearly 80% will be released to parole supervision.

BJS ReEntry In 2001, about 592,000 State prison inmates were released to the community after serving time in prison. This has grown to more than 700,000!!

BJS ReEntry Nearly 33% of State prison releases in 1999 were drug offenders, 25% were violent offenders and 31% were property offenders.

BJS ReEntry By the end of 2000, 16 States had abolished discretionary release from prison by a parole board for all offenders. A growing trend

BJS ReEntry Contents Some trends:

BJS ReEntry Declining discretionary parole (Mandatory parole + expiration of sent) Growing trend

BJS ReEntry Re-releases (following second or more prison term) increased from small percentage of parolees to almost half of parolees Because of high recidivism rates

BJS ReEntry Drug offenders have grown from a small proportion of parolees to more than 1/3 Effect of the “war on drugs”

BJS ReEntry The average age of parolees is growing and the proportion over 40 is growing faster Effect of high recidivism rates and less parole – serve longer sentences

Decrease in parole “success”

BJS ReEntry Background characteristics of prisoners expected to be released 56% had one or more prior incarcerations and 25% had 3 or more prior incarcerations. 84% reported being involved in drugs or alcohol at the time of the offense which led to their incarceration. Nearly 25% were determined to be alcohol dependent.

BJS ReEntry 21% had committed the offense to obtain money for drugs. 14% were determined to be mentally ill. 12% reported being homeless at the time of the arrest.

BJS ReEntry The “re-entry crisis/disaster” The more people we send to prison, the more who get out later, and the less successful the growing numbers are at staying out of prison.