Title

What Influences Public Support of Transitional Housing Facilities for Offenders During Reentry?

Abstract

Transitional housing facilities for released prison inmates have existed in the United States since the early 1800s and are a promising strategy to aid offender reintegration. One recurring obstacle to the successful implementation and sustainability of these facilities is public resistance. Unfortunately, very little is known regarding what influences public support or opposition specifically for offender-based transitional housing. The current study examines how support for transitional housing centers may vary among residents of a Midwestern state based on the proximity of the facility and the types of offenders living there. The study also examines a range of possible influences on support, including community factors, family-related considerations, correctional and political views, and demographic variables. The most consistent influence on acceptance of transitional housing centers was general support for helping offenders during reentry. Other variables with more limited effects were an emphasis on services and programming over monitoring and surveillance during reentry, having a close family member imprisoned, age, and education level. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Department(s)

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1177/0887403414564866

Keywords

offender reintegration, prisoner reentry, public attitudes, transitional housing

Publication Date

2-1-2017

Journal Title

Criminal Justice Policy Review

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS