The Importance of Post-Incarceration Community Integration Services

It is true that post-incarcerated individuals face immediate survival needs upon release related to housing, income, healthcare, and that they experience much higher rates of chronic illnesses, mental illnesses, and substance use disorders than the general population does. These unmet needs are directly linked to negative outcomes after release, including unemployment, homelessness, criminal behavior and recidivism, and even premature death in some cases. Thus, these health problems and social barriers lead to poor health, difficulty in getting a job, inability to secure stable housing, and failed reintegration. Current re-entry planning is short-term and inconsistent, where only a few people who have been released get access to long-term physical and mental healthcare.

Insurance, unstable housing, various economic needs, and negative past experiences with social services reduce people gaining access to care. There are only a few programs that focus on linking people to both healthcare and social services. This becomes worse for people who are prioritizing housing and income over healthcare. The problem is that a lot of people are affected. Thus, community-based integration services reduce emergency department use. Certain types of integration support are provided. These may include transportation, healthcare appointments, help with paperwork and appointment setting, emotional support and therapy, skill-building such as navigating healthcare, and accompaniment to important appointments. Therefore, good integration services may lead to reduced rates of re-offending.

Post-incarceration community integration services are quite important in terms of improving overall health, well-being, and public safety, since they are a halfway point in a sense between correctional facilities and living within a community setting. Upon release from prison or jail, former inmates may face higher rates of chronic physical illness, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders, but lose access to critical care upon their release. Therefore, this can lead to needing to frequently go to the emergency room, overdosing, and even death.

With the help of Medicaid, re-entry services can help continue care by helping people enroll pre-release while also connecting people who are eligible to obtain affordable health coverage and access to medical providers in their community. Therefore, health needs can be better addressed and emergency services don’t have to be as frequently utilized. Without access to systems such as Medicaid, a lot of formerly incarcerated people go without treatment. Thus, this can risk destabilizing their life, increases re-offending, and places more strain upon different systems.

It is not just a matter of healthcare, though. Effective community integration services upon release include proper case management, mental health and substance use treatment, and access to housing and social support. All of these things together can help people to rebuild their lives following incarceration and reduce the risk of re-offending back into the system. These re-integration services support communities that are safer and healthier while also improving long-term outcomes for people re-entering society.