Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and the Criminal Justice System

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

In 2020, the Point-in-Time count estimated that there were over half a million individuals experiencing homelessness in the United States, the fourth straight year homelessness has increased nationally. Homelessness is a predictor of increased contact with the criminal justice system, leading to higher rates of arrest, conviction, and incarceration for individuals who have faced housing instability. This panel discusses recent research projects that use interviews and surveys to understand how individuals experiencing homelessness interact with the criminal justice system, with a particular focus on policing and correctional contexts. Presentations in this panel will also discuss innovative approaches to improving how the criminal justice system addresses homelessness and efforts to disrupt persistent cycles of criminal justice system involvement for individuals who have experienced homelessness.

Sub Unit

• Area VI. The Criminal Justice System / 52. Challenging Criminal Justice Policies

Individual Presentations

• Understanding Non-Arrest Approaches to Homelessness: Findings from a Case Study - Katharine Brown, Arizona State University; Cody Telep, Arizona State University

• What Should be the Role of the Criminal Justice System in Addressing Homelessness? Perspectives from System and Non-system Actors - Cody Telep, Arizona State University; Katharine Brown, Arizona State University

Chair

• Cody Telep, Arizona State University

Discussant

• Danielle Wallace, Arizona State University