Reentry Back Into Society

Reentry Back Into Society

Nina Jones

Survey of Law Enforcement

February 24, 2013

Abstract

This research paper is about inmates who are released into society. It all started with the second chance act which allowed inmates to start their life over in a much better way as possible. When an inmate is incarcerated they go through various different phases. Which is an institutional phase, the step down phase, the community release phase. And the after care services which prepare offenders for their new future.

The second chance act which was signed into the law on April 9, 2008. The act stemmed from the omnibus crime control and safe street act of 1968. The whole process considered of improving programs and resources for offender being released back into society. These programs consisted of employment assistance, housing, family programming, mentoring and also victims support. But before these programs are attended upon release, inmates goes through an institutional phase, the step down phase, community release phase. And the after care services which help them continue to stay on the right path while being into society.

When an inmate is institutionalized it makes them a different person it changes there whole mind set. And when a person has become institutionalized for so long it means they cannot properly function outside of a prison. And while they are incarcerated some of them experience many psychological effects which stem from being in prison. Such as claustrophobia, delusional, deep depression and feeling like a failure of life. Which is why many of the inmates attempt suicide on a daily basis. Morton A Lieberman PH.D states “It is commonly believed that most institutions have deleterious effects caused by the dehumanizing and depersonalizing characteristics of institutionalized environments. Lieberman states that basically people being behind walls is very harmful to the mind and body and generally deprives human qualities. This is why the...