Place Matters: Examining the Reentry Experiences of Ex-Offenders in Informal and Formal Settlements in Cape Town, South Africa

• In Event: Community Context and Prisoner Reentry

Abstract

South Africa continues to struggle to accommodate the substantial reentry needs of ex-offenders as they transition out of custody. Evidence-based practice shows that, to be effective, reentry programing must account for the specific community contexts to which ex-offenders relocate. In South Africa, this depends on whether they are returning to formal settlements, including cities, townships, and suburbs, or more informal settlements. In an exploratory qualitative study, I use semi-structured interviews with 30 male ex-offenders living in two different environments post-release: formal urban areas and informal settlements near Cape Town. Residents of informal settlements are expected to face more and different barriers to successful reintegration, and to have fewer of their reentry needs met than are residents of formal settlements. Consequently, settlement type is anticipated to shape the reentry experiences of ex-offenders, particularly with respect to employment potential and recidivism. I draw on both life-course and social disorganization perspectives to analyze emerging themes in these interviews. I also offer recommendations for further research and discuss practical implications for communities and service providers.

Author

• Valeriya Metla, Rutgers University