Download Homeward: Life in the Year After Prison: Life PDF Free ePUB

Homeward: Life in the Year After Prison: Life in the Year After Prison image

Overview

Review

Comments

Download PDF

In the era of mass incarceration, over 600,000 people are released from federal or state prison each year, with many returning to chaotic living environments rife with violence. In these circumstances, how do former prisoners navigate reentering society? In Homeward, sociologist Bruce Western examines the tumultuous first year after release from prison. Drawing from in-depth interviews with over one hundred individuals, he describes the lives of the formerly incarcerated and demonstrates how poverty, racial inequality, and failures of social support trap many in a cycle of vulnerability despite their efforts to rejoin society. Western and his research team conducted comprehensive interviews with men and women released from the Massachusetts state prison system who returned to neighborhoods around Boston. Western finds that for most, leaving prison is associated with acute material hardship. In the first year after prison, most respondents could not afford their own housing and relied on family support and government programs, with half living in deep poverty. Many struggled with chronic pain, mental illnesses, or addiction—the most important predictor of recidivism. Most respondents were also unemployed. Some older white men found union jobs in the construction industry through their social networks, but many others, particularly those who were black or Latino, were unable to obtain full-time work due to few social connections to good jobs, discrimination, and lack of credentials. Violence was common in their lives, and often preceded their incarceration. In contrast to the stereotype of tough criminals preying upon helpless citizens, Western shows that many former prisoners were themselves subject to lifetimes of violence and abuse and encountered more violence after leaving prison, blurring the line between victims and perpetrators. Western concludes that boosting the social integration of former prisoners is key to both ameliorating deep disadvantage and strengthening public safety. He advocates policies that increase assistance to those in their first year after prison, including guaranteed housing and health care, drug treatment, and transitional employment. By foregrounding the stories of people struggling against the odds to exit the criminal justice system, Homeward shows how overhauling the process of prisoner reentry and rethinking the foundations of justice policy could address the harms of mass incarceration.

Details e-book Homeward

🗸 Author(s): Bruce Western
🗸 Title: Homeward: Life in the Year After Prison: Life in the Year After Prison
🗸 Rating : 4.5 from 5 stars (83 reviews)
🗸 Languange: English
🗸 Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
🗸 Supported Devices: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle

Readers' opinions about Homeward by Bruce Western

Jenene Andrews
Discover the untold stories of women who have shaped history with this illuminating collection of biographies. From pioneering scientists to revolutionary activists, each chapter shines a light on the remarkable achievements of women throughout the ages. With its inspiring tales of courage and resilience, this book is a celebration of female empowerment and achievement.

Arley Burrows
This comprehensive guide to personal finance offers practical advice and actionable strategies for achieving financial freedom. From budgeting and saving to investing and retirement planning, the author covers all the essential topics needed to build wealth and secure a stable financial future. Accessible and informative, this book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to take control of their finances.

Adawna Hayes
Explore the depths of human emotion with this powerful collection of poetry, where words dance off the page and into the heart. From love and longing to despair and redemption, each poem offers a glimpse into the human experience in all its complexity. With its evocative imagery and lyrical prose, this book is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to move and inspire.