Reentry Programs--Proportional or Patriarchal?

• In Event: Reentry and Reintegration in Global and Gendered Contexts

Abstract

Reentry programs—like many social programs in the U.S—are funded through a mixture of public and private sources. Criminologists have studied the multitude of reentry programs but this particular study looked at the programs from the perspective of gender. In New Jersey, there is a clear disparity of service for males and females returning from prisons. We examined the reentry programs in all fifty states, considering the populations served and the proportion of females to males. When the data were available, we took into consideration if the former inmate was head of household and there were children involved. We gathered data on job training programs that inmates received previous to release. While it is clear that the preponderance of programming designed to mitigate recidivism is directed to male inmates, we ask the question—is it appropriate because of the sheer numbers of male offenders? Or is there a systemic difference in quality of care between the two groups? Early results suggest the latter. Policy makers need to take into account the big picture when making these decisions, as incarcerated women were usually the heads of the households and we are, therefore, contributing to the cycle of poverty and hopelessness.

Authors

• Beth Ellen Adubato, Saint Peter's University

• Delia Rose Mischel, Rutgers University