Emory University's Office of University-Community Partnerships works to integrate research and teaching in a way to benefit the greater Atlanta community. They recently released a report, "Prisoner Reentry in Atlanta: Understanding the Challenges of Transition from Prison to Community." Both the full report and a press release are available.
The very comprehensive report analyzes data showing where people go in metro-Atlanta when they get out of prison, what support services are available (including job training, mental health and substance abuse counseling), and the availability of affordable housing and jobs.
This study is part of the Urban Institute's national Reentry Mapping Network, which covers a dozen metropolitan areas around the country.
The study found that the formerly incarcerated face many challenges in finding employment. In addition to low levels of education and work experience, and the reluctance of employers to hire someone who has served time in prison, they also lacked the personal networks to help them identify and secure jobs. Those findings echo the experiences of government and community-based reentry service providers.
Housing, however, was identified as the most immediate and pressing need for those who have been released.
These reports are great resources that all communities need, but most reentry programs don't have the resources to undertake on their own - check them out!
Racy Ming is manager of the Marin Employment Connection, the one-stop in Marin County, CA. She is also chair of the board for the California Re-Entry Program at San Quentin.
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