When Prisoners Return to the Community: Political, Economic, and Social Consequences

Changes in sentencing practices, coupled with a decrease in prison rehabilitation programs, have placed new demands on the parole system. This NIJ Sentencing & Corrections Research in Brief examines the state of parole in today's corrections environment—from indeterminate and determinate sentencing polices to investing in prisoner reentry programs. Specifically, the report analyzes the following collateral consequences involved with recycling parolees in and out of families and communities: community cohesion and social disorganization, work and economic well-being, family matters, mental and physical health, political alienation, and housing and homelessness.