Intersectionality in Reentry: Addressing Gender-Specific Challenges for Women Post-Incarceration

• In Event: Gender-Responsive Justice: Rethinking Post-Conviction Policies and Practices for Women

Abstract

Women navigating reentry face a distinct set of challenges that reentry programs and policies often fail to adequately address. This study examines how intersectional factors—including gender, race, socioeconomic status, and caregiving responsibilities—compound the barriers to successful reintegration for women post-incarceration. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative data, the research highlights systemic gaps in housing, employment, healthcare, and trauma-informed support that disproportionately impact formerly incarcerated women. Findings reveal that many reentry programs are designed with a one-size-fits-all approach, overlooking the unique needs of women, particularly those who are primary caregivers or survivors of gender-based violence. This study argues for a reimagining of reentry policies and practices that center on the lived experiences of women, offering gender-responsive, trauma-informed, and community-driven solutions. Policy recommendations include expanding access to holistic support services, addressing discriminatory barriers to employment and housing, and investing in peer-led, culturally responsive reentry initiatives. By reframing reentry through an intersectional lens, this research underscores the urgent need for more effective and equitable approaches to supporting women as they transition from incarceration to their communities.

Author

• Janaé Bonsu-Love, Building Movement Project