Homelessness and Social Control: Exploring the Consequences of Legal Measures for Local Corrections

• In Event: Assessing the Impact of Procedural Practices, Social Control, and Economic Sanctions on Marginalized Communities

Abstract

Contemporary scholars have drawn attention to the resurgence of social control strategies that seek to spatially exclude the socially undesirable. Their work has documented governments’ reliance on a blend of civil, administrative, and criminal law to “restore order” to areas grappling with a series of concerns related to homelessness. The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, which enables municipalities to enforce laws against homeless people who sleep in public spaces, stands to further embolden efforts to manage homelessness through criminalization or displacement in lieu of addressing its root causes. In one such example, a measure recently passed by Florida lawmakers, HB 1365, prohibits counties and municipalities from allowing people to regularly camp or sleep outdoors on public property, including sidewalks. The current investigation explores the effects of HB 1365 on local criminal justice systems by examining administrative data from a large-sized county in the state. We consider whether and how this new measure has affected the local jail population, in addition to its financial implications. We conclude with a discussion of how our findings may be used to inform future research and policy.

Authors

• Trey Cochenour, Florida State University

• Jennifer E. Copp, Florida State University