There is a vicious cycle in the criminal justice system that seems to suck some people in. The cycle keeps them in the system, moving from probation or parole back into prison and then back into the community corrections program. Getting out of the cycle takes determination and careful planning; however, some women and juveniles don’t have the things they need to make the transition.
One particular issue that these individuals have is that they are often isolated. They can’t hang around the people they know because of the fear that they will get into trouble. One of the conditions of these programs is that you can’t hang around with people who are felons, who are on probation or who are on parole. This means that some women and children come into the program without any type of support system.
For the people who have been incarcerated, there is another issue that is plaguing. They need somewhere to live, but oftentimes, these individuals call a crime-ridden area home. This places them right in the element that can lead them to reoffend, which is a difficult spot for someone who wants to make a positive life change.
Another challenge for these individuals is that they might have trouble finding a job that can support them. Just the mere mention of probation or parole is enough to scare some employers. Add in some of the requirements of these programs, such as reporting for random drug tests, and you can imagine how hard it would be to find suitable employment.
When there is something that doesn’t comply with the terms of the program, the participant might face a violation. This means that they are thrust back into the court system for a new charge, which can undo all the hard work they’ve put forth up until then.
Source: Furity, “How to keep women on parole out of prison,” Andy Henion-Michigan State, accessed Jan. 26, 2018